It is official, Overland park has passed a full on smoking ban. The new restrictions go into place January 2nd. I can now look forward to a Jayhawk game at Tanner's knowing that I won't have to burn my clothes when I get home or have to scour my self before trying to go to sleep. Now we just need the rest of Johnson County to follow the leads of Overland Park, Olathe & Fairway(doesn't really count because no places were affected) Below is the ordinance from The City of Overland Parks website

Smoking Ordinance

As of Jan. 2, 2008, indoor smoking will not be permitted in the City of Overland Park. This includes all:

• Places of employment
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Hotel/motel sleeping rooms
• Meeting rooms and convention facilities
• Retail establishments (except those whose primary business is the sale of tobacco products).

Smoking also would be prohibited within 10 feet of an entrance to a public place. This prohibition would not apply within the public right-of-way or within the outdoor seating area of an eating or drinking establishment.

Smoking would not be prohibited within:

• Private residences not serving as an enclosed place of employment or enclosed public place
• Retail establishments whose primary business is the sale of tobacco products

Smoking also would be allowed:

• On outdoor patios of eating and drinking establishments provided reasonable efforts are made to minimize the amount of smoke entering the establishment
• Onstage during a live theatrical performance where smoking is integral to the plot or storyline and the
• audience is given prior notice

So what do you think? Who's rights are being protected or violated? Don't be shy Click on comments and leave one.