The city council in Shreveport, Louisiana recently heard public comments about an ordinance that would repeal part of the Smoke Free Air Act, allowing smoking in casinos and bars. The ban was approved in 2020 but isn’t scheduled to take effect until August 1.
Several attendees at the council meeting opposed repealing the ban, including representatives from Shreveport’s two casinos, Sam’s Town and El Dorado, who referred to a 2009 study that measured the effects of a smoking ban on Illinois casinos. The study stated, “Estimates suggest that revenue and admissions at Illinois casinos declined by more than 20 percent ($400 million) and 12 percent, respectively. Calculations reveal that casino tax revenue to state and local governments declined by approximately $200 million.”
Paul Avery, El Dorado Casino Resort vice president and general manager, said the study “talked about the game and revenue drop. It talked about the admissions decline, the amount of spending, the job loss, but those were forward looking estimates. What needs to be understood is that it’s rooted in historical data. It’s not just pure speculation.”
Casino representatives also claimed the ban would further hurt their businesses which already have been affected by Covid-19. Sam’s Town former Vice President and General Manager Ron Berry said, “The casino industry, like many in the community, have been through so much the last 15, 16 months with the pandemic. This means fewer guests coming to Shreveport, fewer customers paying tips, fewer dollars flowing through the chute for businesses and fewer dollars flowing in the city’s taxes.”
In response to Baily, Councilman John Nickelson asked, “You smoke in your office at work?” Bailey said, “No.” Nickelson asked Bailey if he let others smoke in his office. Bailey again responded, “No.” Nickelson continued stating, “Don’t your workers deserve the same?” Bailey said, “I think our workers deserve to make a choice. I’m not a medical professional, but our workers and our customers deserve to make that choice.”
Among supporters of the repeal was Martha Whyte, the Louisiana Office of Public Health’s medical director for Northwest Louisiana. She said, “We come through this terrible place. Do we really want to go back to a time where we don’t consider our health and the health of those in this community?
“I will tell you that secondhand smoke kills. We know that, studies show that, and that should not be a question. Now, whether this ban should be enacted, that comes down to how you feel about the people of your community. If this pandemic has taught us nothing, it should have taught us that we need to prioritize health in our communities.”
Feamula Bradley, regional manager of Tobacco-Free Living, added, “Thank you for protecting the Shreveport community and all service industry professionals working in bars and gaming from second hand smoke.”
And Ashley Herbert, American Heart Association government relations director, stated, “We should not be having our hospitality workers choose between their health and a paycheck. At the end of the day, smoking belongs outside.”
However, City Council Chairman James Flurry, sponsor of the ordinance, cautioned, “My concern is we don’t want to do anything to jeopardize those good paying jobs. Those folks knew when they went to work at the casino, that it was smoke, alcohol and gambling.” Flurry added customers could go to Bossier City casinos if they can’t smoke in Shreveport’s. “Texas is really pushing hard to start gambling, and if they do, they are really going to kill what market we have left over here,” he said.
The city council will consider the ordinance again at its July 13 meeting.
