Kansas will go smoke-free indoors on July 1, after a narrow vote Thursday sent a smoking ban to the governor's desk.The ban includes restaurants, bars, workplaces and other public spaces. It would permit smoking in a few places, including private clubs, tobacco shops and the gaming floors of state-owned casinos.
It overrides less-strict local smoking bans, including Wichita's partial ban.
"You are making a legacy vote to let all Kansans breathe clean air," said Rep. Charlie Roth, R-Salina, who carried the bill onto the House floor, shortly before the 68-54 vote.
The Senate had passed the bill, Senate substitute for House Bill 2221, during the last session.
Gov. Mark Parkinson, a Democrat, pushed for the ban to pass this year and called the vote a victory.
"Today's success took many years and many struggles, but thanks to a bipartisan coalition in the legislature, the tireless efforts of our state's health advocates and the support of the Kansas people, this legislation will soon become law," he said in a written statement.
The news didn't go over well at the Heritage Restaurant in south Wichita, which has been able to allow smoking under Wichita's partial ban by serving only those 18 and older.
"You should be able to smoke where you want. If people don't like it, they can leave," said Don Kinkade, a retired Wichitan who sat smoking at a table in the restaurant with a nonsmoking pal.