The passage of a clean indoor air law for Kansas is a tribute to the majority of Kansans who have long asked for this public health measure to save lives and improve health in our state. Kansas legislators listened to the people of Kansas and voted to adopt a statewide law to protect workers and the public from the hazards of secondhand smoke in most indoor workplaces, eating and drinking establishments and recreational facilities.
The new law allows communities to keep any stronger smoking restrictions adopted prior to the July 1, 2010, implementation date. In addition, communities new to smokefree provisions may also choose to adopt even stronger standards than those in the state clean air law. Hopefully even stronger provisions will be made to the Kansas law in the next few years.
On February 25th, Representative Charlie Roth, R-Salina, called for House members to adopt a smokefree law for Kansas as “a legacy vote.” Other House members supported the action that day as being one of the most important health votes taken in Kansas in the past 20 years. The 68 to 54 vote in the Kansas House of Representatives places Kansas in the ranks of 27 other states that protect their residents from the toxic components of secondhand smoke in enclosed areas.
Thanks to all the Kansas senators and representatives who have worked for years to ensure the right of all Kansans to breathe clean smokefree air in enclosed areas.
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The passage of a clean indoor air law for Kansas is a tribute to the majority of Kansans who have long asked for this public health measure to save lives and improve health in our state. Kansas legislators listened to the people of Kansas and voted to adopt a statewide law to protect workers and the public from the hazards of secondhand smoke in most indoor workplaces, eating and drinking establishments and recreational facilities.
The new law allows communities to keep any stronger smoking restrictions adopted prior to the July 1, 2010, implementation date. In addition, communities new to smokefree provisions may also choose to adopt even stronger standards than those in the state clean air law. Hopefully even stronger provisions will be made to the Kansas law in the next few years.
On February 25th, Representative Charlie Roth, R-Salina, called for House members to adopt a smokefree law for Kansas as “a legacy vote.” Other House members supported the action that day as being one of the most important health votes taken in Kansas in the past 20 years. The 68 to 54 vote in the Kansas House of Representatives places Kansas in the ranks of 27 other states that protect their residents from the toxic components of secondhand smoke in enclosed areas.
Thanks to all the Kansas senators and representatives who have worked for years to ensure the right of all Kansans to breathe clean smokefree air in enclosed areas.
