Smoking now prohibited in bars in New Orleans, is Lafayette next?
Smoking is no longer permitted in bars, casinos and most public places in New Orleans as the Big Easy’s new smoke free ordinance went into effect at midnight. Founding Dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, Dr. Elizabeth Fontham, says it should have a positive effect on tourism.
“People come here and are appalled and don’t go to many of our music clubs, because of the smoking,” Fontham said.
Dr. Fontham led the largest and most comprehensive study that looked at women, who never smoked, but had lung cancer. She says the study found that long-term exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke could increase a women’s risk of lung cancer as high as 86%.
“The longer the exposure, the greater number of smokers you’re exposed to, the higher the risk became,” Fontham said.
Fontham is a Crowley native and she’s pleased to see the Lafayette city-parish council will consider an ordinance on May 5th to ban smoking in its bars and clubs.
“I know the people who live in Lafayette will be better off, but those visit there and who work in venues that are currently not covered by the state law will greatly benefit,” Fontham said.
