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Louisiana Just Says No to Casino Smoking Ban
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA --
In a state thrilled with the success of its gaming industry, Louisiana lawmakers declined to mess with the golden goose by refusing to institute a smoking ban at state casinos. Louisiana has an existing law forbidding smoking at bars and restaurants, but gambling venues are exempted.
The push by groups determined to dictate behavior to fellow citizens led to a bill suggesting that the smoking prohibition should close its exceptions, thereby ensuring that their personal choice become the enforced lifestyle.
But House legislators were having none of it, defeating the proposal 71-29 as members asserted their votes were decided by a need to respect personal freedom. Patrons and workers have the right to choose to go elsewhere, if they find smoking conditions intolerable, said some opponents of the ban.
"What about the 22 percent of people who do smoke? What about their freedoms?" said Rep. Reed Henderson.
Statistics have shown significant reduction in gaming revenues in states that have included casinos and tracks in smoking bans.
"Can we afford to lose those tax revenues?" asked Rep. Barbara Norton rhetorically, who represents Shreveport, a city with several riverboat casinos.
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