Smoking ban set to begin

Publication Date: 2006-12-17

• Author:NATASHA CHILINGERIAN
• Publication:Lake Charles (LA) American Press

A new law may dramatically improve the health of Louisiana residents in 2007. Beginning Jan. 1, the Louisiana Smokefree Air Act will ban smoking on public school campuses and in most workplaces, public places and restaurants.

Although some businesses, including stand-alone bars, casinos and tobacco shops, will not be required to go smoke-free, the law will allow city and parish governments to implement their own, tougher public smoking bans.

"This is going to create positive, long-term improvements in our state and in our health-care systems," said Greg David, regional coordinator for the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living.