Panel snuffs call for statewide smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-08-31

• Author:AP
• Publication:www.kbsd6.com

A legislative committee rejects calls for a statewide ban on smoking in indoor, public places.

The joint House-Senate panel said yesterday that smoking bans should be decided by cities and counties. Kansas health officials said a statewide smoke-free law would have a positive effect on the health of Kansans.

The committee chairman said a Kansas Supreme Court ruling this year that upheld the smoking ban in Lawrence reinforces the authority of cities and counties to decide the issue.

Kansas State Health Officer Howard Rodenberg is pushing for a statewide ban, citing 24 states that have such laws as well as 19 cities in Kansas.