opular demanci changes the law 



From 1920 on, veterans of World War I were demand- 

 ing that the law which deprived them of the right to 

 buy cigarettes in their own state be rescinded. In their 

 drive for repeal they pointed out that they had been 

 wartime beneficiaries of cigarettes distributed by the 

 Young Men's Christian Association and similar organi- 

 zations. The veterans had numerous supporters among 

 the citizens of the state. 



Kansas was not the only state in the Union that had 

 acceded to the demands of the reforming element, 

 among whom were included some noted anti-tobacco 

 fanatics. It was, however, the last state to revoke legis- 

 lation against the commerce in cigarettes. 



Having accepted the inevitable, Kansas lawmakers 

 repealed the 1909 law in 1927. A new statute permitting 

 the sale of cigarettes placed an excise of 2 cents on each 

 package of 20 sold within the state. Additionally, ciga- 

 rette papers used by roll-your-own smokers were taxed 

 and dealers had to pay a license fee of $25 to $50. A 

 new excise stamp appeared showing the state bird, the 

 meadow lark. This was to be applied to cigarette pack- 

 ages. The advertising of cigarettes was prohibited, a 

 provision that was voided by the Kansas Supreme Court 

 soon after its enactment. 



The right to purchase cigarettes openly, and enjoy a 

 universal custom publicly soon benefited the industrial 



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