Smoke-free deadline Jan. 1; State campaign encourages locals to get a jump on new law

Many say that Act 815 is one of the most progressive steps that Louisiana has ever taken. Because of this newly adopted mandate, come Jan. 1, 2007, smoking will no longer be tolerated in public work places, with the exception of freestanding bars and casinos.

Even though the newly adopted law doesn’t go into effect until the new year, area restaurants are being encouraged by the Louisiana Tobacco-Free Living campaign to go ahead and embrace the new smoke-free policy, according Tante Chatman, Thibodaux area regional coordinator for TFL.

A lot of restaurant owners are concerned that they will lose business over this new policy. Chatman disagrees and said, “People are still going to go out to eat.”

According to one Thibodaux restaurateur who has already enacted the smoke-free policy, Chatman is correct.

Nanette Duong, owner of Chinese Chef’s II, said, “People thank us all the time for being smoke-free. The fear of losing business is a myth.”

At luncheon held last Wednesday, members of the Louisiana TFL campaign reflected on their success that was over four years in the making.

According to Rochanne George from the American Cancer Society, starting in 2002 the ACS helped raise the state tax on tobacco products.

This initiative brought the state tax up to 36 cents with a portion of the revenue dedicated to creating the statewide Tobacco-Free Living program.

The TFL is a national campaign and has played an intrigal part in the passage of Act 815 by stirring public will and approaching lawmakers with the issue.

Roslyn Stewart, associate director of the Louisiana campaign for TFL, gave attendees of the luncheon a “snapshot” of where the state stands right now on the issue.

According to recent survey’s 75 percent of Louisianans don’t smoke and two-thirds of residence support smoke-free restaurants, Stewart said.

Duong said, “If 75 percent of people in Louisiana don’t smoke n it’s just good business to cater to the majority.”

State Representative Damen Baldone said even though that statistic is largely in favor of smoke-free laws, Act 815 was still a tough act to pass through legislation. “This was a very controversial issue. It really polarized the votes.”

Stewart attributed the passage of Act 815 to an overwhelming amount of public and political support. “Our law makers should be applauded for listening and responding to the majorities voice,” she added.

According to Ashley Ross, Director of the Louisiana campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, Act 815 only marks a milestone in fully protecting citizens from the effects of tobacco n particularly second-hand smoke.

On a comparative scale, Louisiana’s TFL campaign fought this law through legislation with very little funding, Ross said.

Each year the tobacco industry spends a combined $285 million in advertising in Louisiana alone. Meanwhile, the coalition fought back with a budget that is not even three percent of that budget, she said.

“Each month 32-35 million packs of cigarettes are sold in this state,” Ross said. “Each pack is charged a 36-cent tax and 2-cents of this is dedicated to this program.”

According to Ross, Louisiana’s TFL budget was just over $7 million.

Stewart said the passage of this act has made Louisiana an example to other states across the nation.

“We have joined the rank of 20 other states that is protecting their citizens from the affects of second-hand smoke,” Stewart said. “I think far to often that we are use to being at the bottom of things, and for us to finally be on top is super fantastic.”

Act 815 will take effect across the state starting Jan. 1, 2007. Individuals who do not comply with the new law will be subject to fines ranging anywhere from $25 to $100.

Employers who chose not to comply will also be fined $100 to $500.

Half of all fines collected will go to the state Department of Health and Hospitals Tobacco Control Program.

Jared Bailey can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or jared@tri-parishtimes.com.