Topeka, Kan. – Health officials gathered at the Statehouse today to raise awareness about heart disease, the number one killer of men and women in Kansas.
Governor Mark Parkinson says he hopes legislators can help reduce the disease in Kansas by passing a statewide smoking ban. Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Parkinson says he's critical of a smoking ban bill introduced in the House that contains exceptions for some businesses.
"It is a ridiculous piece of public policy that is nothing but a fraud on Kansas citizens," says Parkinson. "[It] not only doesn't ban public smoking, it repeals the ordinances in communities that have had the courage to actually ban public smoking," he says.
The Senate has approved a stronger statewide smoking ban. There is a hearing scheduled on the House bill next week.
