City smoking ban challenge to be heard

Lawrence’s smoking ban, which has launched numerous arguments, will get its day in court.

The Kansas Supreme Court has set arguments on the constitutionality of the ban for 1:30 p.m. April 25. A decision is unlikely for several months.

The case has taken on heightened interest because a ruling by the court could affect not only Lawrence’s smoking ban, which has been in effect since July 2004, but also similar bans statewide.

The Lawrence ban has been challenged by Dennis Steffes, owner of Last Call and Coyote’s nightclubs, who says the ordinance is vague and illegally supersedes state law.

But city officials have said they have the authority to establish a smoking prohibition inside businesses based on local government’s home-rule authority to protect the health and safety of residents.