Court upholds Lawrence smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-06-22

• Publication:49abcnews.com, KS

The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of Lawrence's smoking ban.

In an opinion released this morning, the court sided with the city on all matters that had been challenged by Lawrence bar owner Dennis Steffes.

Lawrence’s ban on smoking has been in effect since July 2004. It had been challenged by Dennis Steffes, owner of Last Call and Coyote nightclubs, who said the ordinance is unconstitutionally vague and illegally supersedes state law...

Instead of conflicting with state laws establishing smoking policies, the court ruled, “we conclude that under this statute, the legislature has invited cities to regulate smoking in public places to the maximum extent possible.”