In a landmark move, the Kansas House passed a statewide public smoking ban Thursday and sent it to Gov. Mark Parkinson. If Parkinson signs the legislation as expected, Kansas will join nearly 40 states that have some statewide restrictions on where smokers can light up. The ban would go into effect July 1. Today’s vote was 68-54. Supporters said they were tired of waiting as ban proposals languished for years on the legislative agenda.  ... Jump to full article >>

Crookston Park Board member Larry Brekken has a bone to pick with the city Ways & Means Committee, which, in December, modified the board’s recommendation to prohibit smoking on the Crookston Sports Center property entirely, and instead approved a policy that would create a designated smoking area on the east edge of the parking lot. “I’m tired of caving into the minority,” Brekken said at Monday’s park board me ... Jump to full article >>

It’s time. The state of Indiana needs to light the no-smoking sign. Indiana is just one of 13 states that doesn’t have a general statewide ban on smoking in virtually all public places. Even North Carolina — the leading producer of tobacco in the nation — has enacted a ban. State Rep. Charlie Brown, who has been crusading for years to prohibit smoking in public places, said last week that he again will renew his push when ... Jump to full article >>