30 Jun

Louisiana Counties in Talks to Ban Smoking in Bingo Halls, Bars

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury and the Monroe and West Monroe City councils are considering passing an ordinance to further restrict smoking in recreational venues across the Louisiana parish. The revised anti-smoking law would ban smoking in establishments such as bars, bingo halls, and restaurants, including patios. The reasoning behind the proposed ordinance is to protect employees of these facilities from the risk of secondhand smoke exposure.

Owners of bingo halls in the parish claim that patrons know smoking is a common practice in their venues and have complete freedom to choose whether or not to visit. Some feel their rights as business owners are being steadily constricted.

Despite business owners’ arguments, city council members continue to push the discussion of the ban through in the name of employees’ rights to a safe workplace.

Read the FULL ARTICLE HERE via KNOE.com.

Stephen Barth
Stephen Barth Stephen Barth, an attorney, professor, and author of Hospitality Law, Intelligent Emotions: On Self Responsibility, Owning Our Emotional Power and Changing Our Reactions, and co-author of Restaurant Law Basics, is well-versed in the world of hospitality law. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Houston, Conrad N. Hilton College, he was an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University. With over twenty years of experience in hospitality operations, including line positions, management, and ownership, Professor Barth is a regular guest speaker covering a variety of issues for national, regional, and local industry associations and businesses. Professor Barth is a member of a select group of instructors worldwide designated by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association to instruct its Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) program. Recently, he has been quoted in many national publications including Hotel News Now, Leisure & Hospitality International, USA Today, Successful Meetings, NBC News, and the Los Angeles Times.