Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee hear emotional testimony for and against two public smoking bills in Topeka.

Last year, state lawmakers passed a law that banned smoking in all public places with the exception of state owned casinos.

One proposed bill on the table would make it illegal to smoke in the casinos. Another would make it legal to smoke in bars that sell lottery tickets.

A Hutchinson bar owner told legislators she is losing business because of the state-wide smoking ban. Sheila Martin owns the Top Hat. She said it should be up to each individual business owner on whether to allow smoking in their bar.

A doctor told legislators second hand smoke is causing all kinds of health problems in her patients. She wants all public smoking banned.

The Kansas Star Casino is expected to speak in opposition of repealing smoking in casinos. The Kansas Star is building a casino in Sumner County.