KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010 / NEWS
7
SMOKING (CONTINUED FROM 6)
Frank Dorsey, manager of The Bourgeois Pig, said he expected the new law to affect business operations to a "huge extent."
"The smoking sections available to people will basically be whitched down to only a few feet on both our
front and back patios," Dorsey said.
He said though it affected the comfort and freedom of his patrons, he hoped that because all bars and restaurants would be facing the same problem, it wouldn't hurt business significantly.
The problems it may create for downtown businesses are well worth the health benefits, say supporters such as Dr. Steven Bruner, who helped create the initial City ordinance in 2004.
"The smoking sections available to people will basically be whittled down to only a few few feet on both our front and back patios."
Commission chose not to go backward and repeal the city ordinance," Bruner said. "Eliminating risks to nonsmokers by adopting the state law, with the added provisions, really gives us the best of both worlds."
"We're really pleased the
FRANK DORSEY
Bourgeois Pig manager
Bruner said the problem created for bars and restaurants in downtown Lawrence was a reasonable trade-off to protect public health.
The updated smoking ban may remain an issue for some, but many students now appreciate the benefits of more stringent regulations. For supporters like Molly Easley, a graduate student from Lawrence, designated smoking areas away from business entrances are reasonable substitutes for outdoor patios that may subject nonsmokers to smoke
inhalation
"While it might be inconvenient, it makes people more thoughtful about smoking around others," Easley said. "I honestly think it should be up to the business owner, but I also understand the rationale behind wanting to protect people from secondhand smoke."
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease for smokers, but Bruner said it also had significant drawbacks for nonsmokers. He said secondhand smoke was highly associated with cardiovascular risk, and in cities with similar indoor smoking bans, the risk of heart attack decreased by 15 to 25 percent.
The University has defined its own smoking regulations since 1993. Though Lawrence adopts the 10-foot provision, the University requires smokers to maintain a distance of 20 feet from doorways.
NATIONAL
White powder sent to federal buildings
SEATTLE — An FBI agent says white powder sent in envelopes to eight federal buildings in the West on Monday was not hazardous.
Special Agent Frederick Gutt says laboratory tests show the powder's main component was calcium carbonate,which is found in chalk.
Gutt says a threat was associated with the envelopes, but could not provide details. Authorities continue to investigate. No illnesses were reported from the mailings.
Envelopes were found at a federal building in Seattle. Internal Revenue Service offices in Bellevue, Wash., and an FBI office in Spokane, Wash. In Idaho, the U.S. attorney's office and an FBI office in Coeur d'Alene, an FBI office in Pocatello and the U.S. attorney's office in Boise received envelopes.
In Salt Lake City, an FBI office was also targeted.
Trial winds down for suspect in overdoses
WICHITA — Closing arguments will cap the eighth week of trial for a Kansas doctor whose clinic has been linked by prosecutors to 68 overdose deaths.
Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, are charged in a 34-count indictment with unlawfully prescribing drugs, health care fraud and money laundering at their Haysville clinic.
Prosecutors called their last rebuttal witness Tuesday and the federal court jury was then read instructions.
Closing arguments are expected to take five hours.
Associated Press
Aberdeen & Apple Lane Apartments 785-749-1288
NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2010 OFFERING: STUDIO,1 BR,2BR APARTMENT HOMES,FREE TANNING BUSINESS CENTER,AND FITNESS CENTER
campus apartments smart living