Senate weighs bill to snuff indoor smoking

Publication Date: 2005-06-01

• Author:Scott Sternberg
• Publication:New Orleans (LA) Times Picayune

Port of Call's general manager, Mike Mollere, has considered creating a no-smoking section in his Esplanade Avenue restaurant, but a bill scheduled to be debated today in the state Senate may force him to ban smoking entirely.

Senate Bill 354, which is at the top of the Senate's agenda this morning, would ban smoking in virtually all indoor public places in Louisiana, including restaurants and bars, although they could still let smokers light up in outdoor areas, such as patios.

creating a no-smoking section in his Esplanade Avenue restaurant, but a bill scheduled to be debated today in the state Senate may force him to ban smoking entirely.

Senate Bill 354, which is at the top of the Senate's agenda this morning, would ban smoking in virtually all indoor public places in Louisiana, including restaurants and bars, although they could still let smokers light up in outdoor areas, such as patios.

Most businesses in the state that employ four or more workers would be required to adhere to the ban, including bowling alleys, pool halls and indoor sports arenas. Hotels and motels would be required to have no more than 25 percent of their rooms as smoking rooms, and smoking would be banned in lobbies and hallways.