At their February 8th meeting, the Iola City Council heard community input about a proposed Tobacco21 ordinance. Staff from Thrive Allen County spoke before the council, along with testimony from Dr. Bridgett McCandless of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, as well as residents Jessica Oakley, Angel Liberty, Dianne Kauth, Donna Hauser, and Jonathan Muhl.

Following the public input, the council discussed the issue briefly, and then gave preliminary approval, pending an formal ordinance, to be voted on at the next council meeting.

The new ordinance, which will limit tobacco sales to those 21 and older, will go into effect on June 1st. Iola is the third city in Kansas to adopt Tobacco21, following Kansas City and Olathe.

You can view a video of the City Council session here (Tobacco21 discussions starting at about 16:20):