By a 4-3 vote (Brewer, Williams, Longwell & Fearey supporting / Schlapp, Gray and Skelton opposed), the proposed Wichita ordinance was passed on it's 1st reading today. The City of Wichita's legal staff will review the ordinance and make final edits prior to the 2nd reading. The 2nd reading will take place at the first City Council meeting in June; if passed (as is expected), the ordinance would become law after a 90-day waiting period.

According to this ordinance, all workplaces in Wichita (including food service establishments and licensed establishments) will be smoke-free. Establishments could purchase a City of Wichita smoking permit to become 100% smoking or to operate a smoking break-room:

• Those choosing to become 100% smoking would be forced to exclude people 18 years of age and under.
• Those with smoking break-rooms could not allow people under 18 in the smoking break-room, but could allow minors into their non-smoking areas (the break-room will be inspected and regulated by the City of Wichita to "ensure" that the smoking room does not pollute the non-smoking sections).
• Any establishment purchasing a smoking permit would be required have their adult (over 18) employees sign a waiver, acknowledging that they understand the dangers of working in a smoking environment.

Congratulations to Tobacco Free Wichita and their partner organizations for encouraging Wichita City Council to take this huge step forward!

Click HERE to read the original draft from the 5/6/08 meeting.