On January 22, the New Orleans city council will consider a measure that would ban smoking in most public places–including bars and casinos. The measure recently was hotly debated for three hours before the council’s Community Development Committee, which voted 3-2 to approve changes to the original legislation.
Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell originally introduced a measure last November banning all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, from all public areas and prohibiting smoking within 25 feet of a business. The amended ordinance would exempt cigar bars and hookah lounges, allow smoking in approved bar patio areas and change the 25-feet rule to five feet. Opponents said the ban would hurt business. Proponents cited health concerns of employees and musicians who work in bars and casinos.
Musician Deacon John Moore said, “My primary concern is the health of those people who are the backbone. I’m tired of witnessing beloved artists dying from the effects of secondhand smoke. Many are the standard bearers for the indigenous culture we love so dearly.” The Louisiana Public Health Institute and the SmokeFree New Orleans Coalition also spoke on behalf of the measure.
Opponents included the French Quarter Business League and Harrah’s New Orleans Casino. Logan Gaskill, human resources director for Harrah’s, said, “Working in a smoking environment is only one of the components of working at Harrah’s.” In response, Councilman James Gray said given the current job market, people cannot be choosy about where they find work. “With an employer of your size, I’m going to be little affected by, ‘If they don’t want to work here, they don’t have to work here,'” Gray said.
