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NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16,2010 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN KANSAN.COM
LAWRENCE
State law changing city smoking ban
Downtown businesses concerned about stricter rules
BY MEGAN RUPP
mrupp@kansan.com
A new city ordinance will require smokers like Jasmine Dunn to stand
10 feet away from local businesses when they light up.
"I understand people not wanting you to smoke near kids or at restaurants, but it really bothers me that I can't smoke at the
June 8 that they planned to update Lawrence's existing regulations to comply with state law before it goes into effect July 1. Six years after the city passed its ordinance, the Kansas
"If you don't want to be around smoke,don't hang out by the doorway."
JASMINE DUNN Kansas City, Kan., senior
bars." Dunn, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., said. "If you don't want to be around smoke, don't hang out by the doorway."
City commissioners confirmed
Indoor Clean Air Act followed by outlining similar regulations. Amending the discrepancies between the two before state law goes into effect is now the primary concern, said Scott Miller, staff
attorney of legal services for the City. The first reading of the newest draft of city ordinance regarding specific smoking regulations was presented at the City Commission
meeting on Tuesday.
"Some state regulations are more stringent than Lawrence law, some are less," Miller said. "We are required by law to change the ordinance, if we're going to have one, to incorporate those provisions that are stricter as defined by the state."
Miller said the aspects of the Lawrence ordinance that were defined by broader terms in state law would remain intact.
State law more narrowly defines smoking near access points, banning smoking within a 10-foot radius of a doorway or window. This provision has significant implications on downtown business owners who don't have the property necessary to accommodate regulations and maintain outdoor smoking areas.
SEE SMOKING ON PAGE 7
CHANGES TO LAWRENCE PROVISIONS
No smoking within 10 feet of a doorway or open window.
No smoking in places without openings in their walls that are equal in size to at least 30 percent of the wall area. The former Lawrence standard was 20 percent.
- Only 20 percent of hotel rooms may be designated as smoking rooms. Previously, 25 percent was permitted.
There will no longer be exceptions for conference rooms, smoking break rooms or meeting rooms.
Violations will be deemed tobacco infractions, rather than misdemeanor offenses.
STRICTER ASPECTS OF LAWRENCE ORDINANCE THAT WILL REMAIN
- The definition of smoking includes non-tobacco vegetation.
- No smoking in outdoor recreation clubs, such as like country, hunting, fishing or shooting clubs.
- No smoking in private residences used as long-term care facilities.
- No smoking in areas where food is prepared for off-premises consumption.
Source: City of Lawrence website
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