House toughens and passes La. restaurant smoking ban

Publication Date: 2006-06-15

• Author:Associated Press
• Publication:Daily Comet

Smoking should be banned in all Louisiana restaurants, the House voted on Thursday, toughening a smoking prohibition bill despite complaints that it was a clumsy government intrusion into the marketplace.

The measure has exceptions that would allow smoking in bars and casinos. Also exempted from the ban would be restaurants' patios and outdoor areas, plus most hotel rooms.

House members toughened the measure by deleting a loophole that would have allowed smoking in restaurants' bar areas.