Norco state rep. wants to ban smoking in bars, casinos and truck stops
Three years ago, Louisiana lawmakers banned smoking in restaurants, office buildings and other public places, but granted exceptions to bars, truck stops and casinos.
But if state Rep. Gary Smith has his way, smoking will be banned across the board, leaving smokers with only three major options – smoke outside, light up in their home, or burn one in their vehicle.
Since smoking in the workplace and in restaurants is already a thing of the past, Smith has taken what he said is the next logical step, introducing House Bill 844, which would prohibit smoking in any bar in the state.
“This isn’t just something that needs to be done in Louisiana, smoking is a public health concern across the nation,” Smith said. “I have watched 25 other states pass similar measures, and it’s time Louisiana takes the next step.”
Smith said he introduced the bill because of the dangerous effects of second-hand smoke and smoking in general.
“We’ve learned so much about second-hand smoke recently, and smoking is among the top five causes of death every year,” he said. “It also costs Louisiana $1.2 billion a year due to smoke-related illnesses, which is $600 per family in the state whether they smoke or not.”
That’s money Smith says can’t afford to be wasted, especially with the recent state of the economy. And because of the economic downturn, Smith says residents across the state are having to take jobs at places they normally wouldn’t consider, such as bars.
“The facts are that prolonged exposure in confined spaces increases your chance at so many diseases, such as cancer and emphysema,” Smith said. “People who have to take jobs at places where smoking is allowed are at an increased risk.”
While banning smoking in bars is sure to have a positive effect on health, it will likely be hazardous for a bar’s business.
“It would hurt my business,” Brian Fabre, of Cajun Ice, said. “Since they banned smoking in restaurants, people know that bars are places where they can smoke, and that’s something they look forward to.”
Smith said he is not out to hurt businesses, but that his bill would equal the playing field between restaurants and bars.
“I’m certainly concerned with the economic impact, because I don’t want to hurt businesses,” Smith said. “I want to improve air quality, and if everyone has to do it, then it won’t have an impact.
“In fact, some bars that ban smoking in other states have increased the number of patrons they have because a lot of people could finally go to a bar without worrying about smoking. Those bars have also built nice outside facilities to please the smokers.”
But while a statewide ban might equal the playing field for bars and restaurants, it would still be legal to smoke at casinos, which could give them a business advantage in attracting smokers.
“My thoughts are that if they do ban smoking in bars, they need to do it for everybody,” Fabre said. “Right now, they are leaving the casinos out and that’s not fair.”
Smith agrees, and has recently prepared an amendment to his bill that would include casinos and truck stops in the smoking ban.
“When I filed the bill, it was an effort to take that next step,” Smith said. “I have an amendment prepared to include truck stops and casinos that I am pushing the committee to include in the bill.
“If second-hand smoke is bad for the employees in restaurants and other public places, it must be bad for the employees of bars, casinos and truck stops. That way, it would be a level playing field for everybody.”
Everybody, that is, except for smokers. Several parish
residents are upset about Smith’s bill and say that it’s trampling on their liberties.
“When I go to a bar, I like that I can relax and smoke a cigarette,” resident Mark Deloach said. “I think most people who go to bars expect it to be smokey.”
Wayne Gomez agrees.
“That’s part of the atmosphere that comes with going to a bar,” he said. “I don’t see the point of banning smoking in one.”
But Sean Bond thinks Smith’s bill is more than fair.
“Second hand smoke has been proven to be dangerous,” he said. “I like to go to bars and relax, but a lot of times I can’t with all the smoke.”
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