Kansas became the 29th state to adopt a statewide smoking ban that includes restaurants and bars when the House approved the Clean Indoor Air Act (HB2221), which had been approved in 2009 by the Senate. Governor Mark Parkinson signed the legislation into law on March 12, 2010.

The Sunflower Foundation thanks all the Legislative champions, public health advocates and most importantly, the people of Kansas, whose voices were loud and clear and who made extraordinary efforts to express their views to their elected officials. This new law is not only a major public health achievement, it is a victory for the everyday people who really have the power to make a difference in policy and in our democracy.

And finally, we express our appreciation to the Clean Air Kansas campaign team. Their effective and powerful campaign of grassroots organizing, public media and direct lobbying will serve as a model to future public issue campaigns and is a testimony to their expertise, dedication and incredible teamwork.

Advocacy Survey
The Sunflower Foundation is interested in helping health related organizations participate and play effective and consistent roles in public policy affecting health and health care. To learn more about how it may be of assistance and provide support to the nonprofit health community, the foundation surveyed nonprofit health and human service organizations about their involvement in advocacy work.

Findings from the survey indicate organizations are eager, willing and ready to develop greater overall capacity to engage in the public policy process, but identified key barriers of time and financial resources. Opportunities identified include relationship to organizational mission, the desire to educate the public, and collaboration. Read more>