Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act
ISSUE SUMMARY
For many years, the Kansas Medical Society House of Delegates has supported numerous actions calling for the enactment of laws restricting and eliminating the use of tobacco products. Because the health implications of tobacco use are irrefutable, physicians and other health care professionals have advocated for years the adoption of sound public policy to curtail the use of tobacco products, thus saving Kansans from unnecessary suffering and expense.
Earlier this year, the Kansas Legislature passed and Governor Parkinson signed HB 2221 which enacts a state-wide clean indoor air statute. While several exemptions were included in the bill, it does provide sweeping changes to the current diverse collection of city ordinances and provides a consistent statewide policy on indoor smoking. Unfortunately, several attempts have also been made yet this session to rescind or substantively revise the bill.
ADOPTED ACTION OR POLICY
KMS should send a letter of appreciation to the leadership of the Kansas House of Representatives and Kansas Senate as well as Governor Parkinson expressing appreciation for the passage of HB 2221 into law. The letter should also urge the protection of current legislation and further action to protect Kansans from the ill-effects of tobacco products.
Adopted by the KMS House of Delegates on May 1, 2010.
