Below is a listing of the latest news on legislative issues and anti-smoking movements affecting your personal freedom and rights to enjoy cigars. Get Involved, Learn about the Issues, and Take Action!
Judge Delays Decision On Statewide Smoking Ban In Wichita
 |
| August 19th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
VIDEO: A judge's action on Wichita's public smoking law has both sides fired up. The judge ultimately decides not to allow the statewide smoking ban to take effect in Wichita... at least for now.
|
| Read Full Article... |
 |
|
Kan. Senate rejects bill to expand gambling
|
| May 8th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
Topeka — The Kansas Senate narrowly rejected a bill late Friday night aimed at reviving the state’s dog- and horse-racing industry by bringing slot machines to racetracks.
The vote was 20-19 against the measure.
Senators debated the bill for six hours and became mired in a side debate over whether smoking should be banned at state-owned casinos.
Supporters had promoted the measure as a rural jobs bill, but conservative Republicans did not want to expand gambling.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking loophole in Kansas casinos snuffed out?
|
| May 7th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
Update, 12:15 - The Senate defeated the gambling bill 19-20 after six hours of debate. With the bill goes the elimination of the casino smoking ban exception.
The Kansas Senate just voted 21-17 to outlaw smoking in state-run casinos, potentially closing a loophole in the state's smoking ban that angered many lawmakers.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
House pulls tobacco tax from budget
|
| May 7th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA — While debate continues in the Kansas Senate and House over proposed budgets for the fiscal year that ends June 30, there is one item that may be considered completely off the table.
In January, Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson proposed a tax increase on tobacco products to help stem the tide of an seemingly ever-growing budget shortfall.
However, that appears to have been effectively taken out of any potential budget funding package, especially after the Kansas Senate widely defeated a measure to increase the tax by $1 per pack on Thursday.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
K-State campus not likely to become smoke-free anytime soon
|
| May 7th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
Smoking is prohibited inside all K-State buildings and within 30 feet of marked entrances to university buildings.
“If smoking were banned on campus, it would be a healthier environment for everyone,” said Jordan Carpenter, freshman in fisheries and wildlife conservation biology. “I don’t want to have to be around secondhand smoke and breathe it in when I walk to class.”
Secondhand smoke is not only bothersome; it is also harmful and sometimes deadly. According to the National Cancer Institute’s website, Cancer.gov, secondhand smoke kills 38,000 Americans every year.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Tax package approved - Committee plan would raise state sales tax 1 cent, hike tobacco taxes
|
| April 30th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved a $438.2 million tax package early Friday afternoon to help plug a budget deficit and leave the state with money for highway projects.
The plan will bring in $417.2 million in funding for the state general fund and $17 million for highways projects. The vote was 7-4.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
New group of business owners and others forms to fight indoor smoking ban
|
| April 1st, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
WICHITA — More than 50 business owners and other people concerned about the state’s new indoor smoking ban met Thursday for the first meeting of Kansas Right to Choose.
“Everybody’s upset,” says Ali Issa, who hosted the meeting at his Heat Cigar & Hookah Lounge.
The group is trying to organize a public meeting for next week for other business owners “and also people who do not smoke but don’t like the idea of the state telling you what to do,” Issa says.
He says people from around the state are joining the group.
Issa says the goal is to get as many members as possible to barrage legislators with calls and e-mails voicing their opposition to the ban, which takes effect in most places July 1.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Hearing set in smoking ban case
|
| January 23rd, 2010, 01:11 PM | Kansas |
|
Hot Pockets tobacco shop owner Jim Suwalski faces a hearing next month on a citation accusing him of violating Topeka's smoking ban.
Suwalski said Friday that Kendall McVay, an administrative hearing officer for the city, is scheduled to hear the case at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the city's Cyrus K. Holliday Building, 620 S.E. Madison.
Suwalski said he plans to be represented by Topeka attorney Bruce Harrington, who has agreed to serve as his counsel free of charge for that particular hearing.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking exception now permanent
|
| January 19th, 2010, 01:11 PM | Kansas |
|
Pratt, Kan. -- The City Commission voted 4-1 Monday night to repeal part of a city ordinance that would have ended all indoor public smoking in Pratt this month.
The repeal will leave in place a transitional provision in the ordinance that has allowed smokers to light up after 10:30 p.m. in bars, clubs and restaurants for the last seven months. Public smoking at any other time or place is still prohibited.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Casino Issue May Snag Smoking Ban
|
| January 17th, 2010, 01:11 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA, Kan. -- A leap by Kansas into the casino business has created an obstacle for public health advocates as they push for statewide restrictions on smoking in public places.
Two proposals before the Legislature ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other places but exempt the gambling space in casinos authorized by a 2007 law.
Those casinos -- one in each of four areas -- would be built by developers who have a contract with the Kansas Lottery, and the lottery would own the rights to the new gambling and the gambling equipment.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Cigar Store Owners Say ‘No’ to Kansas Governor’s Proposed Tax Hikes
|
| January 16th, 2010, 01:11 PM | Kansas |
|
Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson’s efforts to increase taxes primarily on lower- and middle-class Kansans should be thwarted, according to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.
Topeka, Kansas (PRWEB) January 16, 2010 -- Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson’s efforts to increase taxes primarily on lower- and middle-class Kansans should be thwarted, according to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Kansas governor boosts state smoking ban but hurdles remain
|
| January 14th, 2010, 01:11 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA | Health advocates believe efforts to ban smoking in public places in Kansas got a boost when Gov. Mark Parkinson endorsed the idea.
But big hurdles remain to a bill passing this year.
Parkinson called for a strong statewide ban in his annual State of the State address. He noted that a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars has taken effect in North Carolina.
The Kansas Senate passed two similar proposals last year to restrict smoking in public places. Both have stalled in the House.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking Petition Has 1,500-2,000 Signatures So Far
|
| October 28th, 2009, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
A petition aimed at snuffing out Topeka's smoking ban is making progress, according to its backers.
Andrew Gray of the Libertarian Party, which is sponsoring the petition, said today it has 1,500 to 2,000 signatures. He says petition-backers hope to get a more accurate count when they meet Monday night.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Petition locations released
|
| October 18th, 2009, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
Supporters of a petition drive to overturn the smoking ban the Topeka City Council approved last month released a list Saturday of 14 businesses that have volunteered to make copies of the petition available for the public to sign. . . .
Trembley said the Boobie Trap will host a petition signing party from 8 p.m. to midnight Wednesday.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking Ban Petition Ready To Sign
|
| October 17th, 2009, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
A group of bars have agreed to post her petition against the measure.
A list is below shows all of the bars participating -- remember only registered voters who live within Topeka city limits can sign it.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Governor pledges push for smoking ban; tobacco tax being considered
|
| September 1st, 2009, 06:22 AM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA — The governor today pledged to “strongly” push the 2010 Legislature to enact a statewide smoking ban, something the body has roundly rejected for at least two consecutive years.
Gov. Mark Parkinson also said he is considering proposing an increase in the state tobacco tax depending on how things look when he presents his budget recommendations to the Legislature in January.
Parkinson, a Democrat, has repeatedly said he will not seek election in 2010. He was named governor earlier this year to replace Kathleen Sebelius who left to join President Obama’s cabinet.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Petition calls on Liberty City Council to bar smoking in most public places
|
| May 5th, 2009, 01:12 PM | Kansas |
|
MAY 5 - Less than two months after the Liberty City Council approved restrictions on smoking, a stricter proposal has surfaced that would ban smoking in most public places.
A group of Liberty residents has filed a petition to tighten the ordinance, which allows smoking in bars, smaller restaurants, bowling alleys and billiard parlors licensed by the city to sell liquor by the drink. It also allows smoking in certain private clubs, restaurants' outside eating areas and tobacco stores.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban set to move forward
|
| April 28th, 2009, 02:04 PM | Kansas |
|
APR 28 - Commissioners forgo opportunity to repeal ban that takes effect Saturday.
Salina city commissioners Monday discussed, but let pass, the opportunity to repeal or delay a comprehensive citywide ban on smoking in public places scheduled to take effect Saturday.
They took no action after commissioner Aaron Peck chastised the leading advocate for repeal for insinuating that voters would be too stupid to figure out their ballots if opponents petitioned for a public vote.
"Let's face it, some voters are more or less likely to be confused, and or less sophisticated than others at the ballot," Gary Swartzendruber, of Salina, told commissioners.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
City commission to discuss smoking ordinance
|
| April 24th, 2009, 06:18 AM | Kansas |
|
APR 24 - Further discussion of the city's comprehensive smoking ban in public buildings, set to take effect May 2, is on the agenda for Monday's Salina City Commission meeting.
Last week, opponents of the ban asked that commissioners repeal the clean indoor air ordinance. The ordinance was approved by the prior city commission on Jan. 12.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Special smoking ban vote likely
|
| April 22nd, 2009, 06:38 AM | Kansas |
|
APR 22 - Whether she likes it or not -- and she doesn't -- Salina Mayor Luci Larson said there definitely will be a special election to decide whether to repeal or uphold the proposed citywide smoking ban ordinance scheduled to go into effect May 2.
It's a question she said should have been on the April 7 election ballot, but opponents of the ordinance failed to turn in their petition by the Feb. 23 deadline.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban negotiations see little progress
|
| April 3rd, 2009, 07:18 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA, APR 3 — House and Senate negotiators remain miles apart when it comes to agreeing on a bill that would enact a statewide ban on smoking inside most public places.
The Senate voted to approve the limits for the second time this session on a 25-15 vote Tuesday. The decision advanced a House bill that had been altered to enact the state-level smoking ban.
House leaders decided on Wednesday to allow talks on the legislation to proceed, even though their top negotiator shares their opposition to the concept of the bill.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
KS Smoking Ban debate continues with new proposal
|
| April 1st, 2009, 02:17 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA, APR 1 - A day after the Kansas Senate passed another bill to ban smoking in bars and restaurants across the state, House lawmakers offered a compromise proposal:
Allow restaurants and bars to allow smoking as long as it's limited to a physically separate smoking section, and insist that employees not be required to serve customers in those sections.
The House smoking ban proposal has lesser penalties for violators, and more exemptions than the proposal which passed the Senate Tuesday. And it would allow cities and counties that already have smoking bans to keep them in place, even if weaker than the state ban.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
House tables smoking bill
|
| March 18th, 2009, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
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.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Hutch business owners flare over smoking ban legislation
|
| March 12th, 2009, 10:59 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA, MAR 12 - Two longtime Hutchinson business owners took opposing sides in a debate this week over a bill banning smoking inside most public places in Kansas.
Sheila Martin, the owner of Top Hat, 2405 N. Main St., testified against a sweeping statewide smoking ban Wednesday in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
A day earlier, Donna Bartholomew, owner of Skaets Steak Shop, 2300 N. Main St., submitted written testimony in favor of the smoking restrictions.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Liberty mayor breaks tie to pass a smoking ban
|
| March 10th, 2009, 11:16 AM | Kansas |
|
MAR 10 - Liberty Mayor Bob Steinkamp had to cast the tie-breaking vote Monday night to get city council approval of his ordinance to ban smoking.
The vote, which left the door open for bars and restaurants to still allow smoking under restricted conditions, essentially ended nearly five years of discussion on the issue.
The approval also came after he cast another tie-breaking vote to defeat a different smoking ban proposed by Councilman Paul Jenness. That ordinance would have allowed owners to bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and places of amusement to allow smoking by buying a city permit for $250.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
VFW battles ban on smoking
|
| March 5th, 2009, 01:13 PM | Kansas |
|
MAR 5 - The City of Winfield will soon have a legal fight on its hands. The Winfield chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) made good on a promise to challenge the city commission's Nov. 3, 2008, decision to ban smoking in all public places in the city, including private clubs, with a lawsuit, according to Winfield City Attorney Bill Muret.
"The VFW filed a motion requesting a temporary stay of the ordinance," said Muret.
Wichita-based attorney Orlin Wagner originally filed the suit requesting a temporary injunction of the ban in the Cowley County District Court on Jan. 1, Muret said.
He failed to pay a $5 service fee, however, so the injunction request was not served to the city until Feb. 11, according to city clerk Diane Rosecrans.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Candidates take positions on smoking ban
|
| February 25th, 2009, 11:43 AM | Kansas |
|
FEB 25 - Salina bar owner Leonard Dahl calls himself a "primary issue" candidate, his primary issue being repealing a controversial, near-total ban on smoking in public places before the ban takes effect.
He said Tuesday he's heard not one gripe about what amounts to forcing city leaders to hold a special election to consider the smoking ban's fate -- at a cost of about $20,000.
"It's all been pats on the back. The law is the law, and we're staying well within it," Dahl said. "And anyone who is in favor of getting rid of (the stricter ban) agrees two shots is better than one."
Dahl and other proponents of repealing the tougher smoking ordinance, which was approved on a 3-2 vote of Salina city commissioners in January, hope to elect commissioners in April who will vote to overturn the ordinance. Short of that, they hope a new commission will vote to allow a special election to decide the issue.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Legislative leader expects tough fight for statewide smoking ban
|
| February 4th, 2009, 01:56 PM | Kansas |
|
Topeka, FEB 4 — A proposed Senate bill would ban smoking in most places in Kansas, but even its chief supporter concedes it faces an uncertain future.
The bill bans smoking in most public places, including restaurants, bars and retail stores, along with workplaces and any government building. The ban also applies within 10 feet of any doorway, window or air intake for any place where smoking is banned.
But the measure has its opponents, including those who believe such restrictions are best handled by local governments. State health officials say at least 25 city and county governments have enacted clean indoor air laws, covering about 28 percent of the state's population.
Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt said Wednesday that the bill might be debated next week in the chamber but he wants to give senators a chance to review it and consider other options.
Proposals to enact a statewide smoking ban have been considered for several years, but this year is the first time the issue will be debated in the Senate.
The National Conference of State Legislatures says at least 23 states require most public places and workplaces to be smoke-free, including restaurants and bars.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking under fire in state Senate
|
| February 3rd, 2009, 02:07 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA, FEB 3-- A proposed statewide ban on smoking inside most public places could soon become eligible for a debate on the Kansas Senate floor.
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee is scheduled today to mull over a bill that would prohibit lighting up in bars, restaurants and nearly all places of employment.
For the measure to pass out of the committee, a majority of the nine-member panel would have to back the legislation. At least five senators on the health panel figure to be strong supporters of the proposal, because they've firmly backed similar state-level limits in the past.
The committee's chairman, Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, said he doesn't know how much support there is for a smoking ban on his committee or in the Legislature.
"There are number of senators on the committee who have already sponsored legislation in the past," Barnett said. "If the bill comes out of committee, it is unknown to me whether the bill can pass the full Senate. That will be the next test."
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
City commission votes 3-2 for smoking ban
|
| January 27th, 2009, 02:01 PM | Kansas |
|
JAN 27 - After listening to an hour and half of comment, primarily from opponents, Salina City Commissioners on Monday voted 3-2 to pass an ordinance that will ban smoking in basically all indoor places, except for private homes.
Proponents call the ordinance a good step for Salina and for the state.
"It moves Salina to the direction of being a truly progressive city. It will change the mind-set in a positive way," said Trent Davis, a local neurologist and member of the Salina Area Tobacco Prevention Coalition.
The ordinance will replace the one that Salinans passed in 2002.
The new ordinance prohibits smoking in all areas of a building that the public or employees would be expected to occupy. It includes lobbies, hallways and break rooms, all city-owned buildings and vehicles, all vehicles used for public transportation, all restaurants, bars, bingo parlors and bowling alleys, all private clubs and the area within 10 feet of a building's primary entrance.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
New tactic on proposed Kan. smoking ban
|
| January 20th, 2009, 02:00 PM | Kansas |
|
TOPEKA, Kan., JAN 20 — Proponents of a statewide smoking ban have come up with a new selling point for legislators trying to close a massive budget deficit: A ban would save the state money.
Legislation banning smoking has been considered in past years but has never gone very far. Businesses complain that prohibiting smoking in nearly all public places goes too far, and when proponents of a ban have tried to make concessions, they've lost the support of health advocates.
"It's a budget issue now. This is an initiative that saves money," Sen. David Wysong, a Republican from Mission and longtime supporter of a ban, said Tuesday.
Wysong said the state spends some $200 million a year in Medicaid care for people with tobacco-related illnesses. A statewide ban would save the state millions of dollars, he said.
Studies in other states have shown that heart ailments decrease after a statewide smoking ban is enacted, Wysong said.
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee plans hearings next week on a bill that would impose a statewide ban with few exceptions. The chairman is Republican Jim Barnett, an Emporia physician, who supports the ban.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
A smoking forum
|
| January 16th, 2009, 02:00 PM | Kansas |
|
JAN 16 - Nearly everyone who spoke Thursday at a public forum on a proposed smoking ordinance agree the proposal pits public health against business owners' rights.
The two sides disagree on which should be more important.
It's a complicated issue, Salina School Board member Phil Black said.
A vote for the ordinance is a vote against business freedom; a vote against it is a vote for smoking, he said.
"As Americans, part of our spirit is to improve the lot of our future generations. That will take sacrifice. It always does," he said.
Cities that have passed all-encompassing bans on smoking have sent the message to children that "smoking is frowned upon," Black said. Since no one wants children to smoke, a ban is a worthwhile sacrifice, he said.
"Let's make a sacrifice that will help our kids live a better, healthier life," Black said.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban may get more stringent
|
| January 9th, 2009, 06:28 PM | Kansas |
|
JAN 9 - Salina city commissioners Monday will get their first look at a Clean Indoor Air Ordinance that would prohibit smoking inside virtually all public places.
"It's a big policy question and I think will be a difficult one for the commission," City Manager Jason Gage said. "It causes you to weigh the public health benefit of the ordinance versus the impact it has on private property."
The commission meets at 4 p.m. Monday in Room 107 of the City-County Building.
Public forums on the proposed ordinance have been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and Jan. 20. During those forums, city staff will outline the ordinance, answer questions and take public comments, Gage said.
The commission will meet again to discuss the ordinance Jan. 26.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|
|
Judge upholds KC's smoking ban
|
| January 5th, 2009, 06:28 PM | Kansas |
|
JAN 5 - A Jackson County judge said today that Kansas City's ban on smoking in bars and taverns does not exceed the powers provided for under Missouri law.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Richard Standridge made his ruling in denying a motion to dismiss a ticket that was issued to JC's Sports Bar for violating the city's smoking ban.
But Jonathan Sternberg, attorney for JC's Sports Bar, said that's not the last word on the issue.
|
| Read Full Article... |
|
|