Judge to decide on Wichita’s smoking ban

? A Sedgwick County judge is deciding which of two smoking bans should be the law in Wichita.

Fifteen Wichita businesses have sued to stop a state smoking ban from taking effect in Wichita. They argue that a smoking ban already in place in Wichita should take precedence over the state ban.

Sedgwick County District Judge Jeff Goering ruled Thursday that a temporary order stopping the statewide ban from taking effect in Wichita will continue until he issues his ruling. He said it could take him two weeks to make a decision.

Several bar and business owners testified Thursday that the statewide smoking ban would cost them business. But other organizations, such as the American Lung Association, want Wichita included in the statewide ban.