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Ban blunder
Published 3/1/2010 in Commentary : Editorial
State ignored need to include casinos
The good news is that Kansas is closer to a statewide ban on smoking in public places.
The even better news is that the statewide policy, once signed into law by Gov. Mark Parkinson, won't affect the stricter, more comprehensive ordinance in Garden City — which also points to a problem with the state's plan.
While the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act would eliminate smoking in public places and many workplaces, it allows too many exemptions: tobacco shops, certain private clubs, designated smoking areas of adult care homes, long-term care medical facilities and even the gaming floors of state-owned casinos.
"You are making a legacy vote today to let all Kansans breathe clean air," Rep. Charles Roth, a Salina Republican, told fellow lawmakers before last week's decisive House vote.
Roth's heart was in the right place, but he couldn't have been more wrong.
The vote was indeed historic in a state slower than many to pursue such health-related legislation. But the vote also was for a plan that would single out many workers and patrons from protection from unhealthy secondhand smoke.
Leaving out the state's own casinos in particular defied logic.
Kansas recently got into the casino business to generate revenue and create jobs. With the decision to exempt its own casinos, the state will be putting more workers in unhealthy environments.
And it's not as if Kansas had to be out front with smoke-free casinos. Twelve states, Colorado included, prohibit smoking inside gambling establishments.
If Kansas lawmakers left out the state's casinos to maintain some sort of competitive edge and maximize profits, that's even more irresponsible and disappointing. The focus instead should have been on the potential savings to the state in health-related costs.
With polls showing most Kansans in favor of smoking bans in public places, and more communities enacting their own policies, Kansas lawmakers knew a move to protect more people from the threat of secondhand smoke was in order.
But instead of seeking a truly comprehensive ban as in Garden City, they decided some workers and patrons didn't warrant the same consideration as others. That's inexcusable.
Found 2 comment(s)!
Casino Smoking
The State of Kansas at it's best! Ban smoking in most public places except for theirs?
Either ban smoking in all public places or none! Why is a State owned casino any different from any other public place. State of Kansas, be an example not an exception.
By the way, I am a smoker and the smoking ban in Garden City is fine with me!
Surprise, surprise, a smoker that agrees with the ban!
Posted by: HS on 3/2/2010
Smells of Smoke
I agree. You will not find me in the casino because of the smoke. Lawmakers should have included the state owned casinos in the smoking ban - not only to protect the health of the workers, but the health of the patrons. I will not patronize any establishment that allows smoking. I don't feel that the law should exempt their own establishments when setting down laws for businesses.
Posted by: Non-Smoker on 3/1/2010