Lawuits have been filed in Wichita challenging the anti-smoking law passed by the 2010 Legislature on the basis that it doesn’t treat like places in like fashion.
The law exempts the state’s casinos, for example, and all private clubs licensed before Jan. 1, 2009, while banning smoking in new private clubs.
While trying to out-guess courts of law is risky editorial behavior, it is easy to agree that the Legislature made a mistake by exempting the state’s casinos. The purpose of anti-smoking laws is to protect the health of employees and patrons of public places. If there is a health risk in a restaurant or clothing store from second-hand smoke, then there is at least as much danger in a casino.
Exempting state-run casinos looks on the face of it to be an effort to protect state income rather than safeguard the public health.
To question why a private club circa 2008 or earlier deserves an ex-emption elicts only one answer: the lawmakers were trying to keep opposition to the bill to a minimum.
They were too timid. The vast majority of the populace understands that it is a good idea to ban smoking in public places and will be de-lighted to see the air clear. There should be no exceptions, unless it would be for glassed-in smoking rooms for addicts.
Our lawmakers need to go back to the runway and try to get airborne with a second takeoff.
— Emerson Lynn, jr.
