By The Associated Press
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson said he will push next year for a statewide ban on smoking indoors in public places and he may work to raise the state's tax on cigarettes to boost revenue and improve health.
A similar ban passed in the state Senate earlier this year but failed in the House. Parkinson said Tuesday he'll try to get support from some House members for the proposal when the Legislature convenes in January.
"We are going to put our full effort behind it," Parkinson said during a meeting of the Governor's Council on Fitness.
Many cities in Kansas already ban smoking in indoor public places, such as restaurants and businesses.
"All the research shows this will have a very positive impact on the overall health of Kansans and, over the long term, it will reduce health care costs," said Andrew Allison, acting director of the Kansas Health Policy Authority.
According to state health agency statistics, nearly 4,000 Kansas residents die annually from smoking-related diseases, including 290 from diseases related to secondhand smoke. Residents spend nearly $1 billion on treatment related to smoking, including some $200 million in Medicaid funds.
Parkinson said he may throw his support behind raising cigarette taxes, but that the decision would hinge on whether the state needs more revenue to balance the budget.
Legislative staff have projected a budget shortfall of more than $500 million in the coming fiscal year. Parkinson has said it's too early to tell how big the gap may be. Legislators have rejected numerous attempts in recent years to increase tobacco taxes.
Kansas imposes a 79-cent tax on a pack of cigarettes — well below the national average of $1.32.
Former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius failed to garner enough support among lawmakers to increase cigarette taxes by as much as 50 cents a pack to fund expanded health care programs.
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Information from: Lawrence Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com
