From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Tue, 11/07/06
Overland Park (KS) Votes Unanimously for Clean Indoor Air
Parts excerpted from the Kansas City Star, 11/7/06
KANSAS, 11/7/06-- Yesterday, Overland Park (Kansas) became the largest city in
Kansas to pass clean indoor air legislation. The legislation, which includes
offices, restaurants and bars, will go into effect on January 2, 2008.
"To me, this is a health issue," said City Councilman John Thompson. "There is
no acceptable level of secondhand smoke that's medically approved."
"I certainly think this is the first of many," said Lisa Benlon, a former state
representative who now is governmental relations director for the American
Cancer Society. "I really believe it's going to keep the ball rolling."
The Overland Park council's unanimous vote Monday night did not come easily. The
city grappled with the issue for more than a year, holding hearings,
participating in a countywide opinion poll and even running tests on secondhand
smoke in restaurants. When the restaurant industry came on board, however,
everything fell into place.
"I have many friends who own small businesses or are employed by small business
who complain about government interference all the time, but tell me in this
case we should have a smoking ban," Councilman Jim Hix said. With the
restaurant industry's support, "It changed from a difficult decision to an easy
decision," Hix said before the vote.
Joseph W. Cherner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
This email contains the opinions of Joseph Cherner, president of SmokeFree
Educational Services, Inc. Your comments, corrections, questions, or
suggestions are welcome.
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