http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_ne...ory/813434.html
KC makes changes in smoking ban
By LYNN HORSLEY The Kansas City Star
"Five months after Kansas City voters approved a smoking ban, the City Council today approved changes to ease up on tobacco shops but clamp down on casinos.
The changes apply to an ordinance that Kansas City voters approved in April that restricted smoking in the city’s bars, restaurants, tobacco shops and other enclosed workplaces.
After the ban took effect in June, the small number of tobacco shop owners in the city complained they would be forced to move. Under the revision approved today, the city will allow smoking in establishments where more than 80 percent of sales are tobacco-related. The stores may not sell food or alcohol, may not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their smoking areas, and must have separate ventilation systems.
Councilman Ed Ford said the vast majority of smoking bans in the country exempt tobacco shops, and it makes sense because their only product is tobacco.
Another clarification involves the casinos. Voters were told before the April election that the ban would only exempt casino gaming floors where slot-machine playing and other gambling occurs. But officials at Ameristar Kansas City Casino and Hotel later argued that the ballot language also allowed patrons to light up in indoor concourses beyond the gaming floors.
The council supported an ordinance change to tighten the language and clarify that smoking is permitted only in the area where gaming is allowed for those 21 years of age and older, and not in hallways or other areas leading to the gaming areas.
Ford said the change will protect children who might be in areas of the casinos that do not include the gaming floors."
Gentlemen, you may smoke.
KC makes changes in smoking ban
By LYNN HORSLEY The Kansas City Star
"Five months after Kansas City voters approved a smoking ban, the City Council today approved changes to ease up on tobacco shops but clamp down on casinos.
The changes apply to an ordinance that Kansas City voters approved in April that restricted smoking in the city’s bars, restaurants, tobacco shops and other enclosed workplaces.
After the ban took effect in June, the small number of tobacco shop owners in the city complained they would be forced to move. Under the revision approved today, the city will allow smoking in establishments where more than 80 percent of sales are tobacco-related. The stores may not sell food or alcohol, may not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their smoking areas, and must have separate ventilation systems.
Councilman Ed Ford said the vast majority of smoking bans in the country exempt tobacco shops, and it makes sense because their only product is tobacco.
Another clarification involves the casinos. Voters were told before the April election that the ban would only exempt casino gaming floors where slot-machine playing and other gambling occurs. But officials at Ameristar Kansas City Casino and Hotel later argued that the ballot language also allowed patrons to light up in indoor concourses beyond the gaming floors.
The council supported an ordinance change to tighten the language and clarify that smoking is permitted only in the area where gaming is allowed for those 21 years of age and older, and not in hallways or other areas leading to the gaming areas.
Ford said the change will protect children who might be in areas of the casinos that do not include the gaming floors."
Gentlemen, you may smoke.
