Tobacco

Tobacco is a leading cause of chronic illness and death in Kansas. Legal efforts to curb or mitigate its use through statewide restrictions have been a source of heated debate. State lawmakers after multiple attempts have passed a statewide smoking ban and are considering increasing the tobacco tax. At least 35 Kansas cities and three counties enacted local restrictions before state lawmakers agreed to a statewide ban. KHI research and news reports focus on the policies dealing with tobacco control and their consequences.

Photo by Mike Shields

Parkinson signs smoking ban into law

Ban effective July 1

0 | Legislature, Tobacco

The signing of a bill Friday to enact a statewide smoking ban was a victory for public health officials, Gov. Mark Parkinson said.

Policy and Research

Memo to House Health and Human Services Committee on secondhand smoke impacts

0 | Feb. 15, 2010 | Tobacco

The House Health and Human Services Committee requested additional information from the Kansas Health Institute on the impacts of secondhand smoke on three areas.

Testimony - Statewide Smoking Bans: A Research Perspective (2010 HB 2642)

0 | Feb. 11, 2010 | KHI Legislative Testimony, Tobacco

In testimony to the House Health and Human Services Committee, KHI summarizes the research about the impact of smoke-free policies.

Economic Impact of Lawrence Smoke-Free Ordinance

0 | Jan. 01, 2009 | Community Health, Tobacco

There has been much debate about the impact of Lawrence's comprehensive smoke-free ordinance on the restaurant and bar industry. This KHI study indicates that the ordinance did not negatively affect the industry as a whole.

Testimony to 2009 Legislature on state-wide smoke-free legislation

0 | Mar. 10, 2009 | KHI Legislative Testimony

The Kansas Health Institute provided information to the Kansas Legislature and stakeholders regarding various bills that would have created a state-wide smoke-free law in 2009.

Proposed guidelines for tobacco retailers released

0 | Jul. 16, 2010 | Tobacco

Tobacco retailers who enrolled in approved training programs may face lower fines than those who do not, according to draft guidelines released this week by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

Wichita council postpones tobacco talk

0 | Jul. 09, 2010 | Legislature, Tobacco

The Wichita City Council will wait to see the outcome of a court challenge to the new statewide smoking ban before reconsidering changes to the city’s smoking ordinance.

Statewide smoking ban in effect

0 | Jul. 01, 2010 | Legislature, Tobacco

Kansas today became the 35th state in the nation to restrict smoking in public areas.

Smoking ban injunction issued for 31 private clubs

0 | Jun. 30, 2010 | Tobacco

A Shawnee County judge has ruled that private clubs will be temporarily exempt from the statewide smoking ban that becomes effective Thursday.

Smoking ban decision expected Wednesday

0 | Jun. 29, 2010 | Legislature, Tobacco

A Shawnee County District Court judge is expected to rule Wednesday on whether a new statewide smoking ban will begin on Thursday.

KAMU taking calls for free dental care

0 | Jul. 07, 2010 | SRS, Oral Health, Safety Net

Several safety-net clinics have agreed to take part in a federal grant aimed at providing parents access to free dental care.

Major health information exchange initiative announced

0 | Jul. 12, 2010 | HIE-HIT

The Kansas Medical Society and the Kansas Hospital Association will join to create a statewide health information exchange, early phases of which are expected to be operational by year's end. The initiative also incorporates the work already done by regional exchanges in Wichita and Kansas City.

Union joins in urging Senate to pass extended Medicaid help for states

0 | Jul. 27, 2010 | Medicaid-CHIP

With Congress poised to take August recess, the union that represents state workers in Kansas is urging members to contact U.S. senators to push for a vote on extended federal Medicaid assistance for states.

Governor issues executive order creating health information technology corporation

1 | Jun. 30, 2010 | HIE-HIT

The governor issued an executive order today creating a non-profit corporation to oversee efforts to expand the use of health information technology. The corporation will be governed by a 17-member board, most of whom will be chosen by the governor and named at a later date.

State seeks OK for increased HealthWave premiums

1 | May. 19, 2010 | KHPA, Medicaid-CHIP

In a few weeks, state officials will ask the federal government for permission to raise HealthWave premiums by $40 a month.

Budget cuts forcing changes at KHPA

1 | Jun. 22, 2010 | KHPA, Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

The head of the Kansas Health Policy Authority said the agency's budget situation is "untenable," and that some services being provided now must be cut or eliminated in the months ahead. The chairman of the agency's board predicted a coming "trainwreck."

Kansas Health Institute | Information For Policy Makers. Health for Kansans.