News - State
Senate Rejects Smoking Ban For Louisiana Bars
Posted: Jun 2, 2011 8:22 AM by Lauren Wilson & AP
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A bid to ban smoking in Louisiana bars has again failed to win support in the state Legislature.
Senators voted 22-15 Wednesday against the proposal by Sen. Rob Marionneaux, a Democrat who has repeatedly pushed the smoking ban.
Louisiana prohibits smoking in restaurants, public places, public buildings and most places of employment. Marionneaux's proposal would have extended that prohibition to bars. He stripped out casinos, off-track betting facilities and other gambling spots from the bill, but still was unable to win passage.
Marionneaux said the ban would improve the health of workers and patrons at bars.
Opponents say adults should decide whether they want to visit a smoky bar, and they say a smoking ban could harm businesses financially.
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