CleanAirKC.com

On Thursday July 1, 2010 local advocates and legislative champions gathered for a celebration of the new Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act. The celebration took place at Johnny's Tavern in Olathe, in attendance were local citizens, community advocates and multiple state legislators.

Overland Park, KS. June 16, 2010: Statewide smoking restrictions in Kansas go into effect July 1, 2010 covering restaurants, bars, public places and some private clubs. The new law will spread protections from second hand smoke to metropolitan communities such as Merriam, DeSoto, Gardner and Edwardsville that are not covered by local smoking ordinances. The Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act will improve protections in Kansas City, Kansas and Shawnee that previously enacted weaker ordinances. Smoking ordinances in communities that are stronger than state law can remain in effect. This would include communities such as Overland Park, Lenexa, Mission and others.

The new Kansas law prohibits smoking indoors in public places, restaurants, bars, some private clubs and within 10 feet of any doorway, open window or air intake. The act was passed by the Kansas House of Representatives last February and signed into law by Governor Mark Parkinson.

Throughout the state clean indoor air advocates and supporters will begin to celebrate this historic public health bill. In the Kansas City area, supporters will hold a reception on July 1^st at Johnny’s Tavern in Olathe from 5:30 to 7:30pm.(10384 S. Ridgeview Road, Olathe.(K-10 and Ridgeview) Local advocates will be recognized for their work on local ordinances in the metro area that helped create momentum for a statewide law. State lawmakers who voted in support of the new law also will be included.

“The move from local smoking ordinances to a statewide law was the most amazing grassroots effort I’ve ever witnessed,” said Joyce Morrison of Clean Air Kansas City. “The creation of the statewide law did not start with leadership at the top. It started with local residents telling their elected officials that they wanted protections from second hand smoke in public places and workplaces and the tobacco industry fought us every step of the way."

Clean Air Kansas City is a diverse coalition of health care, businesses and individuals formed in 2005 with funding from the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Metropolitan Healthy Communities Coalition to support the grassroots initiatives that contributed to the to the passage of 22 local smoke free ordinances in the metro. www.cleanairkc.com. The model for Clean Air Kansas City later became the basis for the Clean Air Kansas campaign that focused on approval of the statewide law.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment put together a tool kit for businesses with information on the implementation of the new law. The kit contains a link to download or print signage for businesses; sample written smoking policies; instructions on enforcement of the law; information on fines for owner/operators and smokers; a list of the locations exempt from the new law and a Class A & B club exemption form.

The business tool kit is available at no cost from the Johnson County Health Department. Call (913) 477-8384 to obtain a kit.

For more information about the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act send an email to: kssmokefree@kdheks.gov or call 1-877-416-8547 or go to the Web site, www.KSsmokefree.org.

Lt. Governor Findley, State Agencies and Partner Organizations Announce Indoor Clean Air Act Web Site

Lt. Governor Troy Findley, the Kansas Department of health and Environment (KDHE) along with state agencies and partner organizations unvieled a new web site, www.KSsmokefree.org, which will assist businesses with implementation of the Indoor Clean Air Act and provide educational resources for the public.

House Bill 2221, the Kansas 2010 Indoor Clean Air Act was signed into law by Governor Mark Parkinson on march 21. It will take effect July 1. This law prohibits smoking in most enclosed public places, workplaces, taxis, limosines, restaurants, bars, and within 10 feet from entrances and air intakes of such facilities statewide.

This web site provides downloadable no smoke signs for businesses, frequently asked questions, a business toolkit and free resources to help people quit tobacco use through the Kansas Tobacco Quitline (800-QUIT-NOW).

"By working together to implement this law, we can make our state a safer, healthier place for all Kansans," said Roderick Bremby, KDHE Secretary. "We hope the web site, www.KSsmokefree.org, will health businesses make a smooth transition to a smoke-free Kansas."

Kansas is the 35th state to pass a statewide law to provide smoke-free workplaces, restaurants or bars.

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson was at the KU Med School of Nursing on Monday Mar. 15, 2010 for the ceremonial signing of The Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act.