SALINA, Kansas - Governor Mark Parkinson, joined by state and local representatives, signs the state-wide smoking ban into law, in the city where it all started.
"I just wanted to come and say thank you. You made our job of persuading the legislature much easier because of what you did 4 or 5 years ago."
Back in 2002, Salina was the first city in Kansas to pass a clean air ordinance. City commissioners who passed Salina's ordinance, also played an important part in the state-wide ban.
"People that may be against what we've done, we're going to save their lives, maybe their kids lives, maybe their grandkids lives. You don't get a chance to do that very often."
For clean air advocate Doctor Trent Davis, who lead Salina's local ordinance, the state-wide ban was a welcome surprise.
"This is probably two or three years earlier than when I thought it would be from all the forecasts I heard from Topeka. I'm happier for the smaller communities that don't have the political resources, financial resources, to go through an effort that we did in Salina."
Not all welcomed the governors visit. A group of thirty business owners were on hand to protest the bill, saying it will drive customers away.
"It's against the rights of property owners for the governor and the legislature to pass a law, banning smoking in private businesses," said Sheila Martin.
The bill which the governor signed Monday in Salina, exempts state-owned casinos from the smoking ban. The governor has called this hypocritical, and says it should be re-evaluated.
