FINALLY, SMOKING BAN GETS ATTENTION
After months of brushing the issue aside, Kansas City Council
members finally are discussing whether smoking should be banned
in bars and restaurants.
The answer: Yes, it should. Similar bans have been used to
protect customers and workers in dozens of cities around the
nation, plus in entire states and countries.
Council member Beth Gottstein has submitted a tough smoke-free
ordinance, which calls for a decision by Kansas City voters next
February. . . .
Given the antipathy of some council members on the issue, it's
possible that they could weaken or even reject Gottstein's
ordinance.
That's why a group of citizens should follow through on its plan
to collect initiative petition signatures this fall to place a
strict smoke-free law on the February ballot.
One way or another, Kansas Citians need the opportunity in 2008
to prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants.
