Only a proposal, in Louisiana, could include gaming venues
Three smoking-ban initiatives, each at different stages,
are moving through legislative channels in three U.S.
states, but only one proposal has the potential to impact gaming venues.
One of two newly introduced bills
looking to expand the ban on smoking in Louisiana
includes a possible future of smokeless casinos and riverboats.
According
to a report in The Times-Picayune, Rep. Gary Smith has
filed House Bill 844 to ban smoking in "any restaurant or bar." While
Sen. Rob Marionneaux has filed Senate Bill 186 to prohibit
smoking "in any restaurant or bar if food is served at any time.” Smith’s
proposal doesn’t include casinos or gambling riverboats because it would put
the gambling outlets in the state at "a competitive disadvantage with Mississippi's"
gambling industry, according to the report. Marionneaux did not rule out an
attempt to ban smoking in casinos or riverboats.
Three years ago Louisiana adopted banned
smoking in restaurants, office buildings and other public places but granted
exceptions to bars, gambling boats and casinos. Each bill will move to the House
and Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, respectively.
Meanwhile,a partial smoking ban in
Michiganthat includes restaurants, bars and other work sites, but not Detroit's
casinos, passed a House committee vote.
According to a Detroit Free Press article,
a full House vote could occur within two weeks. A smoking-ban proposal flamed
out last year because the House and Senate could not agree on whether to exempt
Detroit's
casinos.
Earlier this week,North Carolina signed a statewide indoor smoking
baninto law. The law bans smoking in restaurants and bars, with the exception
of private clubs and cigar bars.
STATE FLAME-OUT: N.C., Louisiana, Michigan move forward on smoking bans
May 21, 2009
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