La. Senate passes restaurant smoking ban

United Pro Smoker's Newsletter ^ | May 2, 2006

[SheLion]

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana restaurant patrons who want an after-dinner smoke should be forced to leave the dining room before lighting up, the full Senate decided today.

Senators approved Sen. Rob Marionneaux’s plan to prohibit smoking in all restaurants’ dining areas but allow smoking in bars and casinos, cigar shops, and hotel and motel rooms. Marionneaux cited several polls conducted by anti-smoking groups showing that a majority of residents in Louisiana’s cities support such a ban.

“Let’s afford our citizens the right to have dinner with their families without the bother of second-hand smoke,” said Marionneaux, D-Livonia.

The measure passed on a 36-2 vote. Sens. Heulette “Clo” Fontenot, R-Livingston, and Max Malone, R-Shreveport, opposed the bill, which now moves to the House.

If the bill becomes law, smoking would be outlawed in restaurants beginning in 2007.

Sen. Ken Hollis filed an amendment to allow smoking inside restaurants’ bar areas, if those bars are walled off from the dining area. Hollis said suddenly banning smokers from those areas could drive restaurants out of business, because their customers will go to bars where smoking is allowed.

“This will hopefully keep some of our restaurants from going out of business,” said Hollis, R-Metairie.

Marionneaux opposed the amendment, calling it a veiled attempt to kill the measure, by drawing further opposition from the restaurant industry. Restaurant owners have complained that the bill — even without Hollis’ amendment — gives tavern owners special treatment.

Senators approved Hollis’ amendment with a 23-15 vote, sending it to the House.

The bill was also amended by Sen. Diana Bajoie, D-New Orleans, who added an exemption aimed at helping New Orleans’ convention center attract business. The amendment would allow smoking at convention space during tobacco industry trade shows.

It would also allow smoking during Mardi Gras krewes’ parties held at a convention center.

Marionneaux introduced a similar plan last year that was voted down by the full Senate, partly because it included a provision to also outlaw smoking in casinos. This year’s version exempts casinos, eliminating opposition from the powerful gambling industry and improving its chances of eventually becoming law.

[bella1]

Point well taken. But I must say, I am in the health care industry and I see every day the toll smoking takes; in lives, health and yes cost. Its enormous. Any yes, I also see what the illegals are costing us by using the ERs as doctors offices.

[SheLion]

I don't hold nannies responsible for this kind of crap anymore. I hold the smokers who continue to spend money at nonsmoking establishments after the bans responsible. If they ban it in your area, don't solicit the businesses. A 25% drop in business will end a smoking ban in any area.

Well, Maine forced a total smoking ban a few years ago, and lots of us do not go into restaurants or bars anymore.  And a lot of businesses have closed.  And that doesn't make the anti's reconsider.  They could care less if a business can't make it or not.  The won just by getting the ban through.

[SheLion]

Point well taken. But I must say, I am in the health care industry and I see every day the toll smoking takes; in lives, health and yes cost. Its enormous. Any yes, I also see what the illegals are costing us by using the ERs as doctors offices.

Well, I smoke and have for a long time.  I enjoy it and I have my own health care insurance.  If I ever get sick, no one will pay for me but me!  Oh yes!  Cigarettes are still legal. :)

[mysterio]

And that doesn't make the anti's reconsider.

It's because the bars didn't lose all of the smokers. They lost a percentage of them, to be sure. But not all of them. And those individuals who just resign themselves to stepping outside cause things like this to spread.

[SheLion]

It's because the bars didn't lose all of the smokers. They lost a percentage of them, to be sure. But not all of them. And those individuals who just resign themselves to stepping outside cause things like this to spread.

Well, I don't know.  The winters up here are long and hard.  Makes it very difficult to go stand outside for a cigarette.

  My front yard and a road on the other side of the tree.

You put the snow together with 60 mph bitter cold winds, and smoking outside becomes impossible.

[MortMan]

You DO remember the takings clause from the Constitution, right?

[Conservababe]

I visited my sister in Breaux Bridge last week for a few days. On the first day, I requested to go to Crawfish Town for lunch, a place I fondly remembered through out the years I have been gone. As we drove into the huge parking lot, it seemed almost empty. When I commented on it, my sister laughed and told me that the place had changed ownership and had no smoking section any longer.

I told her to just turn around and we would go somewhere else, as I was not going to spend two hours peeling and eating crawfish without a cigarette.

We went to Landrys, which has a nice smoking section, and had a wonderful lunch.

With Cajuns being able to have their own seafood "boils" and cooking just as good as the restaurants, I see the restaurants losing business.

[Raycpa]

Sure do. I think these owners should be reimbursed. Too bad the smoking fanatics disagree, they would at least have some progress on that front. I think they secretly want to lose this battle because they sure don't adopt winning strategies.

[Raycpa]

the bars didn't lose all of the smokers. They lost a percentage of them, to be sure. But not all of them.

[MortMan]

Sure do. I think these owners should be reimbursed. Too bad the smoking fanatics disagree, they would at least have some progress on that front. I think they secretly want to lose this battle because they sure don't adopt winning strategies.

You forgot the part about a taking needing to be for a public use. There is NO constitutional allowance for these laws.

[Raycpa]

There is NO constitutional allowance for these laws.

Sure there is. It is called states rights.

[Raycpa]

[383rr]

OHMYGOD! YOU DID IT! You surpassed even my expectations for greatness!!!!!HOW DO YOU DO IT?
I WANT YOU TO DO MY TAXES!

[MortMan]

I get a red X from the picture.

From the previous post, you are saying that the bill of rights does not restrict the states' ability to take property (Kelo notwithstanding)?

Wow.

[Raycpa]

The constitution addresses property rights and states.

[Raycpa]

[Mears]

At least they can still smoke in bars.

[SheLion]

At least they can still smoke in bars.

At least that is something, right?  Maine even took away smoking in bars. :(

[Mears]

Same here in Mass. I used to go into the bar area for a smoke.

[The Foolkiller]

"I think that if smokers were more courteous. non smokers would be more tolerant"

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BWWaaaAAAHHhhAHA!!!!!