Baton Rouge, La. – June 28, 2017 –Metropolitan Council members, voted 8-2, with two members choosing not to vote, to defer the vote on the smoke-free ordinance to the meeting on August 9. Seven members of the council introduced an ordinance to expand the state’s smoke-free law to include area bars and casinos.
“We thank those members of the Council who introduced the original ordinance and who supported the more than 3,000 workers who currently are not protected by a smoke-free law. However, we are disappointed in the delay and will continue our efforts to see that these employees, entertainers, vendors and patrons receive the same protections as in other facilities as soon as possible,” said Raegan Carter, a spokesperson with the group and Region 2 Manager for the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL).
“We are committed to protecting all workers in East Baton Rouge and will do all we can to make sure this ordinance goes into effect. EBR will then join the ranks of New Orleans and other communities in our state. I’m not overstating our position. This law will save lives,” Carter added.
“While we look forward to seeing the employees of East Baton Rouge, who have been treated as expendable assets through the state law's exemption for bar and gaming venues, finally get the smoke-free protections they so greatly deserve - it is heartbreaking to know that they will have to wait to experience a healthy work environment,” said Onjewel Smith, Southern States Regional Consultant, Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. “They’ve been holding their breaths for years already.”
Smoking kills more than 7,200 Louisianans and costs Louisiana taxpayers $1.89 billion in health care expenses every year. The evidence on secondhand smoke’s toll on public health is clear. Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of them are toxic and at least 70 cause cancer. In addition, the Surgeon General has found that secondhand smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and respiratory problems, sudden infant death syndrome, and low birth weight in infants and children.
The Smoke-free EBR Coalition comprises the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL), the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation and numerous other local and national organizations. For more information, visit our website at SmokefreeEBR.org.