The Heat Is On!

Over the past month a bill has been crawling through the Louisiana Legislature that would ban all smoking within bars and casinos. The bill, introduced by Rep. Gary Smith (D) Norco, was originally meant just for bars, but it was amended the a House committee to include gaming establishments except open air patios and Indian Casinos. Management at my job reported to me that when this same bill was passed in Illinois gaming revenue went down by 20 %.

As a self professed Health freak/monitor , but also someone that is sympathetic to small business and big businesses alike, it was admittedly difficult for me to come to a conclusion about this measure.

We all know the health risk of second hand smoke, and its been proven that this contact can almost be as lethal to the recipient as the giver. For me, I hate to go to a club, and along with funky sweat, I have to go home and wash off the overwhelming stench of Black N Milds and Kools. I loved the fact that when I was in D.C. I could talk to the person next to me, and not worry that they may mistake me for a smoker and the only smell they will get a whiff of is my Doublemint Gum (shameless plug).

On initial thought, I would have voted for the ban for a few reasons, but only if it had been amended certain ways.

Sometimes we have to protect people from themselves (ie seat belt and helmet laws), and other times we have to protect people from each other, and that is where this bill lies for me. No one ask to go out with their friends or families and ask for a side of emphysema or a second shot of lung disease. Smokers know what they are doing is an extracurricular activity, and that activity should only be shared by those lucky few. Bars make most of their revenue off of drink sales, not smoking so I doubt if this will seriously affect their sales. Those who choose to smoke can still step outside and smoke their Virginia Slims.

Personally to see this bill passed I would have wanted to see a few amendments added to this bill. The tax revenues from casinos in all of the metro areas of the state are too much to lose, especially in tough economic times. I would have liked to see an amendment where smoking is allowed in facilities that contain a certain amount of table games , or that were a certain amount of sq. feet. This would have prevented destination casinos from being affected by the ban, but for the common LA citizen that attend bars more frequently, would help them to stay respiratory system healthy.