Kansas House Tables Smoking Bill

Here’s a little victory for personal choice in Kansas!  It’s not completely killed, but it’s better than the bill passing.  So, to my Kansas readers, go enjoy a celebratory smoke in public today!

MAR 18 – The movement to establish a statewide smoking ban in Kansas took a direct hit Wednesday when a House committee tabled consideration of the controversial legislation.

The Health and Human Services Committee voted 11-7 to set aside the bill establishing a prohibition on smoking in restaurants, bars, places of employment, taxis and most public areas. Exemptions included private homes not used as day care facilities, state-owned casinos and tobacco shops.

The measure passed the Republican-controlled Senate 26-13 and was endorsed by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Rep. Scott Schwab, R-Olathe, made the motion to suspend committe debate on the ban as an alternative to formally killing the bill. Technically, it would remain on the House calendar through the 2010 session.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t like it,” Schwab said. “There are Democrats who don’t want to vote against the governor.”

Rep. Lana Gordon, R-Topeka, supported Schwab’s request because the bill “needs more work.”

Sen. David Wysong, a Mission Hills Republican and chief advocate of the smoking ban, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the House committee’s action. Advocates of the ban won’t stop pressing for reform, he said.

“I believe they are going to face this until it gets passed,” Wysong said.

http://www.cigarrights.org/news_KS.htm

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   ANTHONY EPP says:

   March 19, 2009 at 4:11 pm

   Hurray!!! It’s bad enough there is almost a city wide ban on smoking in restaurants and bars in the KC area on both sides of the state line.

   At least we can buy liquor on Sundays. I was talking to a liquor retailer 1/2 block east of the state line into Missouri, and he was lamenting the fact that the one time he was counting on the religious conservative in KS, they let him down. At that time he was loosing about $15,000 a weekend. About time KS realized all the tax revenue they were missing out on.

   At least in KC, MO, they lifted the smoking ban for tobacco retail business.

   On other fronts, what do you think about NUB cigars? To me they are kind of like espresso. Get to the heart of the taste you’re after without having to smoke half the cigar. Other good ones are Olivas. You could join us this Saturday at Outlaw Cigar Company for another big party. 11a-???