ShawneeDispatch.com

To the editor:

The Kansas Legislature is considering a statewide smoking ban. This issue is not as simple as “ban or not.”

The Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association has traditionally opposed smoking bans as a governmental infringement on the ability of restaurant owners and others to manage their businesses and determine their own clientele. Yet, given the concerns of many regarding secondhand smoke, KRHA has proposed a reasonable compromise: any restaurant desiring to accommodate smoking patrons must utilize a separate room, physically separated from the rest of the facility by floor-to-ceiling walls, and separately ventilated.

In this manner, there is no exposure to nonsmoking patrons, and no business revenue lost.

The Kansas Senate has already determined that smoking bans have an adverse economic impact on hospitality, entertainment and other businesses. The Senate has exempted the state-owned and operated casinos from the smoking ban but refused to extend the same protection to privately operated businesses such as restaurants.

It is hypocritical for the Legislature to exempt their own businesses (casinos) so as to protect the state from economic harm while not protecting privately owned, tax-paying businesses from such harm.

The Legislature should provide the same accommodation for privately owned hospitality and entertainment businesses throughout Kansas as it provides for the state’s businesses (casinos).

This compromise approach to a smoking ban bill would give nonsmokers the victory they desire, while protecting the economic interests of businesses whose clientele includes persons utilizing an otherwise legal product.

Donald G. Sayler

President and CEO

Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association