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Parkinson said the bill stands for fundamental change "that will have the result of saving thousands of Kansans' lives in the future. People who might be against what we've done, we're going to save their lives, maybe their kids' lives, maybe even their grandkids' lives. You don't get a chance to do that very often."

In his remarks, Parkinson cited Roth and Democrat Lisa Benlon, D-Overland Park, as key advocates for the measure in the House. They helped lead a bipartisan coalition, together with numerous health advocates -- doctors, nurses and health professionals.

"Would the Legislature do the right thing or yield to the tobacco industry?" Parkinson asked. "When tested in this way, this year, Kansans won, the special interest groups lost, and Kansans got the clean air that they deserve."

The sky didn't fall

Parkinson said the research is quite clear that thousands of people die due to exposure to secondhand smoke, and new research is exposing stronger links between heart attacks and strokes.

What wasn't clear from banning smoking in most public places was the effect it would have on businesses, the governor said. So it was really great to have Salina pass a comprehensive indoor clean air ordinance banning smoking.

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