Overland Park approves smoking ban 11/07/06
Overland Park approves smoking ban
OVERLAND PARK -- This Kansas City suburb became the largest city in Kansas to ban smoking in virtually all indoor businesses, even though it won't take effect for more than a year.
The City Council on Monday approved the ban, which will apply to all business except stand-alone retail tobacco shops.
The measure, which covers more than 300 restaurants and bars, takes effect Jan. 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.”
Overland Park is the largest city in the metropolitan area to implement a smoking ban, and advocates hope the trend continues.
"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.”