House tables smoking bill

Publication Date: 2009-03-18

• Author:Tim Carpenter
• Publication:Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal

A House committee today tabled a bill that would impose a statewide smoking ban in most public places.

The Health and Human Services Committee voted 11-7 to set aside the legislation approved last month by the Senate.

The House committee devoted more than three days to hearings on the bill, but settled the issue today in less than 90 seconds.

Sen. David Wysong, a Mission Hills Republican and chief advocate of the smoking ban bill, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the House committee's action.

He said the policy debate on smoking in public places in Kansas would remain on the Legislature's agenda.