Shreveport's smoke-free law faces a challenge from local lawmakers
In Shreveport, Louisiana, a proposed ordinance is sparking heated debate as it threatens to reverse the city's smoke-free law. If passed, this measure would allow smoking again in bars, casinos, and various workplaces, raising concerns among health advocates and local citizens alike.
Proponents of the ordinance argue that permitting smoking is essential for casino revenue. However, many experts dispute this claim, asserting that patrons visit casinos for entertainment, not to smoke. Data from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board supports this view, highlighting that smoke-free environments can thrive without negatively impacting business. In fact, similar policies implemented elsewhere have shown no detrimental effect on casino income.
The concerns regarding secondhand smoke extend beyond mere discomfort; they pose serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations. Health officials emphasize that the proposed rollback would endanger the well-being of workers and visitors alike, particularly in an industry where many employees are already at higher risk for health issues.
Advocates for smoke-free workplaces argue that the council members need to consider the serious implications this ordinance could have. Health advocates are urging community members to express their opinions to their local representatives before the critical vote takes place on the 13th. Outreach via emails or phone calls is encouraged to ensure that the voices of Shreveport’s citizens are heard.
The context surrounding the proposed changes is complicated. The two casinos in Shreveport have faced competition from nearby establishments that permit smoking, which proponents of the ordinance argue places them at a disadvantage. However, experts assert that the notion of customers crossing a bridge solely to smoke is unfounded. Most patrons come to gamble and enjoy the experience, indicating that entertainment should be the focus rather than smoking policies.
Critics of the ordinance highlight the misleading narratives pushed by the casino industry about the impact of smoke-free laws. Historical data shows shifts in gaming revenue can be tied to numerous factors, not simply the presence or absence of smoking inside a casino. The suggestion that a smoke-free policy is detrimental to business is not supported by evidence from locations where such laws have already been enacted.
As the vote approaches, community engagement becomes increasingly important. Concerned citizens are encouraged to attend the city council meeting to voice their opposition to the rollback. Understanding that health and safety are paramount, citizens must advocate for policies that support a healthier environment for all.
The landscape of public health can often be improved through informed and active participation in local governance. The potential rollback of Shreveport's smoke-free law serves as a pivotal moment for community members to make their preferences known and advocate for a smoke-free future in their local establishments. The fight for public health and wellness continues, and every voice matters in this essential conversation.
Transcript
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major setback and this ordinance that goes to vote on the 13th will roll back the smoke-free law in its entirety so that would be bars and casinos and other workplaces casinos in louisiana most of them now are already smoke-free are we one of the last vestiges where folks can smoke and gamble shreveport and jefferson parish and i'm not sure on if our casinos in lake charles are 100 bounced back but i know since the hurricane you know they were closed for quite some time but they do still allow smoking and ray charles miss ashley you've done i assume that you've done done a head count of the prospective vote that's going to be taken next week how's it looking right now four three three four what do you think we're still working on that vote count right now um we're still having some meetings we would love to sit with councilman flurry himself um but have not had a response to our meeting requests emails or calls but we are still working on that program ashley let me ask you this because what you're hearing from the the folks who are thinking about rolling this back is that the two casinos in shreveport are in a different situation than others around the state in that we have two minutes across the bridge casinos in beaujour where folks can smoke and this puts the two shreveport casinos at a distinct disadvantage you debunk that theory tell us why no one is going to the casinos to smoke they are going to gamble they are going for the entertainment this was a known tactic that the casino industry needed in fact in east baton rouge parish the coalition for tobacco-free louisiana we fought years multi-year victory in east baton rouge we passed this military law in east baton rouge in august 2017 and they had a 10-month implementation period even almost the same amount as the report has had months months before the ordinance was even effective the louisiana gaming control board issued a report citing a casino revenue slump in the two casinos in east baton rouge parish what do you think they attribute to this law smoke free air that was not even in effect for another three months so they do not take into account the other economic factors that go into gaining revenue gaming revenue is extremely volatile no matter what city or state ever so you know just the fact that they're saying that we're going to send people to bozier i think that's just another tactic no one goes to the casino just to smoke they're not gonna cross a bridge just to smoke a cigarette when they can step outside and then step right back on in miss ashley you said a couple of seconds ago you used the term a couple of times tactics as far as the the casino companies the the corporations what are your tactics well we use real data real science real peer-reviewed reports um if you were watching the city council meeting last week the uh casino former casino executive uh brought up a study from the federal reserve bank there is no study from the federal reserve bank that is from the federal reserve bank of state lewis illinois from a guy who used to work there it has been debunked time and time again but that's what they're using as science and he actually mentioned what are you going to believe the federal reserve for that lobbyist back there that lobbyist back there he was referring to me the data that i used in my testimony came from the louisiana gaming control board their economic data their employment data so we're really doing that like when we talk about stats and numbers and figures ours are coming from the cbc they're coming from the louisiana department of health they are not junk science and they're definitely peer reviewed and supported ashley we we implemented this last year we agreed to delay it until this year because the casinos were hurting during the pandemic and it was to give them time to implement and now they're back to say no let's nick ixnay this what is the sparring you know all of us are suspicious of why the council is all of a sudden doing a flip-flop on this well so are we but you we know that they it just shows that they never had any intent in following the law wow this is truly truly to the detriment of minority health when you look at who works in the hospitality industry and um you know i don't want to go as far as saying who's paying who but we can't put casino interest in front of the lives of actual shreveport citizens you cannot do that you cannot ignore the link between public policy and health so what would you say to any african-american shreveport council person who would vote for this based on what you just said i would i would say that i was very disappointed that this is what they were looking to do you have to represent your constituents those of shreveport not those exposure you have to think about the health of your community and if we already know that black and aspen african americans are highly predisposit predisposed to heart disease stroke diabetes obesity why are we going to continue to put them in a hazardous work environment assuming we're speaking for them go ahead finish your thought ma'am i'm sorry oh no that's okay i'm just kidding you're speaking for them as their city councilman so back to my original point it's from everything we can sort of read between the lines here there are going to be uh african-american council people who would vote for this that's got to really really disappoint you yes it does it really does and uh we have their constituents ready to speak at the meeting on the 13th to tell them to their faith that they are disappointed in them for for doing this well folks who can't make to the meeting what do you suggest they do today if they want the casinos in shreveport to be smoke free what should they do i would suggest sending your council person an email or giving them a call and you know have a conversation let them know that i voted for you and this is wrong you sound like you got a case of the pibs just like me which is panties in a bunch you sound a little frustrated by how this is gone right i really i really am frustrated i think it's it's very just disappointing like why does louisiana have to be last and everything and policies like this or or or how this happens how does it start um it is 2021 why are we really still fighting to allow smoking to be inside in the air that we all have to share i think it's common sense that um at this point that we know that secondhand smoke is harmful why put other people at risk when they aren't all smokers
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