In April 2016 in a 6-6 tie vote, the East Baton Rouge, Louisiana parish council defeated an ordinance that would have banned smoking in casinos and bars. Now, slightly more than one year later, the council is revisiting the issue with another ordinance that would prohibit smoking in public places parish-wide. Smoking-ban supporter and Councilwoman Chauna Banks said, “We have seven metro council members that are sponsoring this current bill and seven is the magic number for passage.”
Banks noted, “Seventy percent of the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish are in support of a smoke-free parish. And I think that’s in line with our whole concept of having a healthier environment. We have a responsibility as a city-parish government to ensure that all our citizens have an opportunity to have a good time but also in a safe, smoke-free environment.”
In 2007, the Louisiana legislature banned smoking in public places throughout the state, but exempted casinos and bars. As a result, about 3,000 bar and casino employees are exposed to second-hand smoke, said Smoke-Free EBR spokesperson Raegan Carter. “We know that second-hand smoke is related to lung cancer and other health disparities among bar and casino workers. We’re not asking people not to smoke, we’re asking people to step outside.”
If the ordinance passes, East Baton Rouge Parish will join the smoke-free communities of Monroe, Alexandria, New Orleans and most recently Lafayette, Carter said.
Banks stated, “Cigarette smoking is a secondary enjoyment. We believe that if these venues are promoted correctly, you can still gamble whether you smoke or not. There shouldn’t be any difference. Actually, we think there will be an increase in patronage.”
The Louisiana Casino Association does not agree. In a statement it said:
“The Louisiana Casino Association retains the same concerns as last year when this issue was raised. Smoking bans in New Orleans and other cities have always reduced the number of visitors to casinos resulting in the need for fewer employees and gaming tax losses to those cities. We note that gaming is an adult-only activity. We believe that both our customers and staff are well informed and that as adults they can decide for themselves the venues they wish to enter. Lastly, only the gaming floor is a smoking area. As a result, our restaurants, administrative and support areas, common spaces and lobbies are already non-smoking.”
The public will be able to voice support or opposition for the smoking ban at a public hearing June 28.
