Wichita Moves Forward on Smoking Ban

“It seems to me the time is right for us as a community for us to look a this issue and look at it in depth”

Public health versus economic interests. That's the debate surrounding a possible smoking ban in Wichita. via Kansas' CW

[Sheri]

"Free Wichita surveyed 1,135 registered voters on the issue. Seventy-three percent are in favor of making bars and restaurants smoke free. Eighty-eight percent of those polled were non-smokers and nearly half don't go to bars.
That didn't stop the city council from moving forward. "It seems to me the time is right for us as a community for us to look a this issue and look at it in depth," said Wichita City Vice Mayor Sharon Fearey."
Wonder why they don't want to put it to a vote? They said 72% of those polled favored a ban. Oh wait, they only polled non-smokers and people who don't go to bars to get those results. Don't let them lie to you Wichita. Ask bar owners in Ohio if there was an increase in business after the ban. You may have to ask them soon though before they close their doors for good. The non-smokers did NOT come.

[smoker]

Everyone needs to write letters and call your elected officials. ASAP!

[Sheri]

smoker wrote:

Everyone needs to write letters and call your elected officials. ASAP!

Get Bill Hannigan involved. He's here on topix, and can give you his email. He knows what to do in order to give yourselves a chance.

[Bill Hannegan]

Sheri wrote:

<quoted text>
Get Bill Hannigan involved. He's here on topix, and can give you his email. He knows what to do in order to give yourselves a chance.

There is a ton that can be done in Wichita right now. Contact me:
[e-mail]

[Bill Hannegan]

Sheri wrote:

"Free Wichita surveyed 1,135 registered voters on the issue. Seventy-three percent are in favor of making bars and restaurants smoke free. Eighty-eight percent of those polled were non-smokers and nearly half don't go to bars.
That didn't stop the city council from moving forward. "It seems to me the time is right for us as a community for us to look a this issue and look at it in depth," said Wichita City Vice Mayor Sharon Fearey."
Wonder why they don't want to put it to a vote? They said 72% of those polled favored a ban. Oh wait, they only polled non-smokers and people who don't go to bars to get those results. Don't let them lie to you Wichita. Ask bar owners in Ohio if there was an increase in business after the ban. You may have to ask them soon though before they close their doors for good. The non-smokers did NOT come.

Sheri, there is nothing wrong with Ohio people writing the council saying, "Hey, I am not telling Wichita what to do, but the ban here sucks. I doubt that it will be any better for you."

[Sheri]

Bill Hannegan wrote:

<quoted text>
Sheri, there is nothing wrong with Ohio people writing the council saying, "Hey, I am not telling Wichita what to do, but the ban here sucks. I doubt that it will be any better for you."

How do I get the names of the people to write to?

[Mr John E Marling]

I was born and raised in Wichita and when I go back to visit I stay in motels because my family all smoke and there homes are repulsive They stopped all smoking in public places here in Washington St and the business's done much better so that is a bunch of bull about loosing money

[Bill Hannegan]

Mr John E Marling wrote:

I was born and raised in Wichita and when I go back to visit I stay in motels because my family all smoke and there homes are repulsive They stopped all smoking in public places here in Washington St and the business's done much better so that is a bunch of bull about loosing money

http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11825...

[Sheri]

Bill Hannegan wrote:

<quoted text>
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11825...

When I went to this link, I could only read part of it without paying for "the rest of the story." I found the full and free version here.
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11825

[just candid]

Sheri wrote:

"Free Wichita surveyed 1,135 registered voters on the issue. Seventy-three percent are in favor of making bars and restaurants smoke free. Eighty-eight percent of those polled were non-smokers and nearly half don't go to bars.
That didn't stop the city council from moving forward. "It seems to me the time is right for us as a community for us to look a this issue and look at it in depth," said Wichita City Vice Mayor Sharon Fearey."
Wonder why they don't want to put it to a vote? They said 72% of those polled favored a ban. Oh wait, they only polled non-smokers and people who don't go to bars to get those results. Don't let them lie to you Wichita. Ask bar owners in Ohio if there was an increase in business after the ban. You may have to ask them soon though before they close their doors for good. The non-smokers did NOT come.

The fact that around eighty percent who responded were non smokers would be expected. This proves the poll was not slanted as about only 20 percent of the population still smoke.

[Sheri]

just candid wrote:

<quoted text>The fact that around eighty percent who responded were non smokers would be expected. This proves the poll was not slanted as about only 20 percent of the population still smoke.

It was not a random sampling. It was a carefully hand-picked group. What is the percentage of smokers in Kansas?

[Boomer]

Sheri wrote:

<quoted text>
It was not a random sampling. It was a carefully hand-picked group. What is the percentage of smokers in Kansas?

The state's adult smoking rate, which paralleled the national trend for the past 10 years with few noticeable changes, dropped between 2002 and 2003, from 22.1 percent to 20.4 percent. This change is estimated to mean 42,000 fewer adult smokers. The trend continued in 2004, dropping to 19.8 percent. Kansas is tied with North Dakota for the 11th lowest adult smoking prevalence rate in the country.
http://lungaction.org/reports/state-narrative...

20% would be about right, if anything it would give a slightly higher number of smokers than in the general population.

[Sheri]

Boomer wrote:

<quoted text>
The state's adult smoking rate, which paralleled the national trend for the past 10 years with few noticeable changes, dropped between 2002 and 2003, from 22.1 percent to 20.4 percent. This change is estimated to mean 42,000 fewer adult smokers. The trend continued in 2004, dropping to 19.8 percent. Kansas is tied with North Dakota for the 11th lowest adult smoking prevalence rate in the country.
http://lungaction.org/reports/state-narrative...
20% would be about right, if anything it would give a slightly higher number of smokers than in the general population.

Not really my point, so sorry if I did not elaborate. Did the study include non-smokers who don't give a crap about SHS or just hate the idea of government interfering with private business? There are lots of them. Or, did the non-smokers who answered the questions come from within the SmokeFree organization?

[Bill Hannegan]

Sheri wrote:

<quoted text>
How do I get the names of the people to write to?

Sheri, the e-mail addresses of Mayor Brewer and the Wichita City Council are on this page. Almost all city councils and state legislators have e-mail addresses available on their government websites. Do write to them. As an outsider, the thing is not to tell them what to do. They hate that. But rather tell them what your experience is as a warning. The e-mails are read and you will usually get a response from the smoking ban sponsor and its strong opponents.

http://www.wichitagov.org/Government/CityCoun...

[Sheri]

Bill Hannegan wrote:

<quoted text>
Sheri, the e-mail addresses of Mayor Brewer and the Wichita City Council are on this page. Almost all city councils and state legislators have e-mail addresses available on their government websites. Do write to them. As an outsider, the thing is not to tell them what to do. They hate that. But rather tell them what your experience is as a warning. The e-mails are read and you will usually get a response from the smoking ban sponsor and its strong opponents.
http://www.wichitagov.org/Government/CityCoun...

I have written a letter and will send it to you at your email address.

[Bill Hannegan]

Sheri wrote:

<quoted text>
I have written a letter and will send it to you at your email address.

The best way to fight bans is to do exactly what Sheri has done.

[just candid]

Smoking restrictions are just restrictions , NOT bans. Smokers may still smoke, just not inside where it may harm others.This is good for everyone and the smokers are welcome to come back in when they have finished their smoke.

[just candid]

Sheri wrote:

<quoted text>
Not really my point, so sorry if I did not elaborate. Did the study include non-smokers who don't give a crap about SHS or just hate the idea of government interfering with private business? There are lots of them. Or, did the non-smokers who answered the questions come from within the SmokeFree organization?

Why can't you belive the truth if a non smoker posts it? Why can't you belive the truth about the study,that it's not a fraud? Face it,lots of people don't like having,and will no longer tolerate breathing SHS or SSS(side stream smoke). You should by now realize there are more people thinking that way every day. I personally belive it's time to take off the gloves,to do away with any and all smoking done out in public.

[Sheri]

just candid wrote:

Smoking restrictions are just restrictions , NOT bans. Smokers may still smoke, just not inside where it may harm others.This is good for everyone and the smokers are welcome to come back in when they have finished their smoke.

ZAP

[just candid]

Sheri wrote:

<quoted text>
ZAP

Ah yes,"ZAP".A perfict example of dialouge and prime example of creative writing, brought to us by one who spent their professional life teaching creative writing.