Will Louisiana be the next smokefree state?
On April 12, 2018, HB 881, the Louisiana smoke-free air act, was presented before the Louisiana House of Representatives Health and Welfare Committee by Dustin Miller, Representative of District 40. Testimony from community members in favor of the legislation presented a steady stream of pleas for smokefree air. The committee heard from musicians like Kenny Neal, who said that he had lost a good friend and fellow musician to secondhand smoke, and cardiologist Dr. Brent Roussard of Lafayette, who added, “Let’s keep the gumbo, but lose the smoke.” Opposition included representatives from the gaming industry and some small business owners who claimed the bill would mean they would have to close their doors. The bill was pulled back for review and the vote delayed. We are hoping for movement on this landmark act to consider the health of all of Louisianans. Read more
A lot to celebrate in Louisiana!
- Smokefree East Baton Rouge was a sponsor of the 2018 Baton Rouge Blues Festival which celebrated the upcoming implemention of the smokefree law in East Baton Rouge in less than 60 days! We thank the Baton Rouge Metro Council members for their healthy choice. By a vote of 7-5, the council approved a measure on August 9, 2017, making bars and casinos 100% smokefree by June 1
, 2018. - Lafayette has been dancing in fresh air since it became the 11th municipality in the state to pass a city-wide smokefree ordinance in April, 2017. The one-year old ordinance ensures that all employees, including bartenders, gaming facility employees, and entertainers, will be protected from the dangerous health effects of secondhand smoke in the workplace.
- In one of the biggest local success stories, we’re happy to celebrate the third anniversary of smokefree New Orleans! The Big Easy began to breathe easy in April 2015. We are proud to have been an active member of the Smokefree NOLA coalition. Laisser le bon temps (sans fumee) rouler!
