Legislature Passes Smoking Ban

A bill banning smoking in Kansas restaurants, bars and other public places has cleared the state Legislature.

The House approved it Thursday on an 68-54 vote. The Senate had

approved it last year, so the bill went to Gov. Mark Parkinson.

Parkinson has said he supports the bill, which would ban smoking

in restaurants, bars and other businesses.

Smoking would still be permitted in tobacco shops, private clubs

and the gambling floors of state-owned casinos.