Legislators cool to smoke ban

Publication Date: 2007-08-16

• Author:Editorial
• Publication:The Blue Valley (KS) Sun

State Sen. David Wysong's drive to ban smoking in public places statewide appears pretty well snuffed out. At least that is his sense in light of developments at the Capitol this summer. That is too bad, because secondhand tobacco smoke is, according to the U.S. surgeon general, killing and inflicting disease on thousands of Americans, Kansans among them.

Wysong, R-Mission Hills, encountered opposition from the outset. A smoke-free bill he introduced early in the 2007 Legislature survived a committee vote but was brought down by a crippling amendment. It has been left for dead, although with enough support it could be revived.

Wysong switched to another plan late in the session. He wanted to have the issue studied by an interim committee over the summer...

Instead, the council handed the issue to the Federal and State Affairs study committee. Wysong interpreted that as a downgrade for his cause. The committee has other issues to work on, including abortion-related matters. Wysong concluded it would not have much time for nor interest in his proposal.