In a recount of votes concerning Emporia’s smoking ban April 14th, the “yes” votes stayed the same at 2,369, while the “no” votes lost two to come out at 2,361.

 Emporia KS. April 3, 2009:   A pilot study last month involving five restaurants and bar locations in Emporia showed unsafe levels of fine particle air pollution in establishments that allowed indoor smoking. The air quality testing included two restaurants, one of which was smoke free, and three bars. The testing in Emporia found that fine particle pollution from smoking fell into the hazardous range as defined by the EPA.    www.tobaccofreekansas.org

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee replaced the language in House Bill 2221 with language from Senate Bill 25, a statewide smoking ban.  The move was in response to a House committee’s vote Wednesday to table SB 25, effectively killing it for the session.

Thirteen supporters spoke to the importance of passing an effective clean indoor air law for Kansas, with more than thirty submissions of written and oral testimony at Tuesdays hearing on SB 25, the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act.

The Kansas Senate voted on February 17^th to join the growing list of smoke free states across the nation. The Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act, also known as Senate Bill 25, now moves to the House, where it is likely to be sent to a committee for study. As passed, the bill would makes most places in the state smoke free with exemptions for private clubs, tobacco shops, and casinos.

http://www.kansas.com/news/legislature/story/703339.html

Editorials and letters to the editor in newspapers across the state are showing support for a statewide smoke free law. Below are a few of those editorials.

"It's no-cost health care reform for Kansas," said Mary Jayne Hellebust, executive director of Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition. She estimated the state has paid $200 million a year through Medicaid for tobacco related illnesses.

http://www.kansas.com/news/story/682155.html

At the request of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association, a second smoking law--one considerably weaker than Sen. David Wysong's SB 25--has been introduced.  The law proposed by the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association would exempt restaurants and bars, leaving many Kansan’s still exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke.

A strong state-wide smoke free bill has been introduced by Sen. David Wysong, a Mission Hills Republican.  Senate Bill 25 would ensure that all Kansans are protected from secondhand smoke. The bill will have its first hearing Tuesday, January 27^th in the Public Health and Welfare Committee.  

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/994015.html