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Published February 13, 2008 12:25 am - TOPEKA, Kan. — Supporters of banning smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos and most other public places got a quick lesson Tuesday in practical politics when they urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to rewrite the bill. Kansas: Senate committee considers smoking ban bill The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. — Supporters of banning smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos and most other public places got a quick lesson Tuesday in practical politics when they urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to rewrite the bill. They didn’t like a provision of an anti-smoking bill mandating a Nov. 4 vote in each county on whether residents want to be part of the statewide ban. In counties that opt out, municipal governments still could enact their own smoking bans. “We can expect millions of dollars in expenditures by the tobacco industry to defeat the initiative county by county,” said Terri Roberts, Kansas State Nurses Association executive director. Mary Jane Hellebust, director of the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition, said in written testimony that the move was unusual. “Statutes usually passed by the Kansas Legislature do not ask local constituents to ratify matters affecting the public health,” she said. Leon Vinci, Johnson County public health director, suggested alternatives, such as having the ban become effective statewide when 50 percent of the state’s population votes to approve it. But Sen. David Wysong, the lead sponsor, said the provision was included out of political necessity. “We wouldn’t get it out of committee without the county vote,” the Mission Hills Republican said. He sponsored a smoking ban bill last year that was amended to give counties the option to vote, and many supporters wanting a stronger bill balked. Senate leaders shelved the bill because its passage was doubtful. Thirty-one states have some type of statewide smoking ban. The National Conference of State Legislatures says 22 states require all public places to be smoke free; an additional six require workplaces and restaurants to be smoke free but exempt bars. Three exempt from their ban restaurants and bars whose customers must be at least age 18 or 21. Dr. Howard Rodenberg, former state Division of Health director, said a survey last year showed more than 70 percent of Kansans favor clean indoor air laws. “By placing the issue in the hands of the voters, legislators can demonstrate that they are responsive to the will of the people,” Rodenberg said. “No doubt, come November, there will be significant opposition to this act, and we can expect an orchestrated campaign to kill it.” Committee Chairman John Vratil said the panel will hear from opponents Wednesday and will debate the bill and vote on it next week. The Leawood Republican said he believes there are enough votes to send the measure to the Senate. Tim Shallenburger, a former House speaker and lobbyist for Penn National Gaming Inc., said he would testify against the bill. Penn National wants to operate a planned state-owned casino in Cherokee County. “A business should have an opportunity to set its own rules when it comes to smoking,” he said. “In the case of Penn National, there will be another casino few feet away in Oklahoma where smoking is allowed. People will walk next door, and it will be a revenue loss.” 
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