Smoking ban wasn’t only law to go into effect Jan. 1

By now, smokers realize it is illegal to smoke in Louisiana restaurants.

In the past, smoking has been allowed in restaurants that served alcohol and smoking laws regarding this practice have varied by parish, however, the state legislature passed measures in the spring that called for a ban on smoking in all restaurants. Patrons are still allowed to smoke in bars and in restaurants that have designated outdoor seating areas for that purpose.

Although some surveys have indicated that up to three quarters of the state’s population does not smoke, the new law is expected to create some confusion in its early stages. As an example, the law calls for restaurants that have bars attached to only allow smoking if the bar is completely separate from the restaurant. Smoking is also still allowed in casinos, however, restaurants with only three machines are not considered casinos, thereby skirting the law via this provision will not be an option.

The new law also bans smoking on all public school properties in the state both during and after regular school hours. Proponents of the new law have long called for these bans citing the health risks associated with smoking and the second hand smoke the tobacco products produce.

Opponents, meanwhile, cite the laws as just political correctness run amok and another intrusion by government into the lives of private citizens and businesses.

Other laws that went into effect Monday include a major one dealing with marriage and divorce. Married couples with minor children under the age of 18 will have to be separated for a full year before divorce proceedings can commence. The wait time was six months.

This could also lengthen the time that individuals may have to pay interim spousal support.

Additionally in 2007, Louisiana joins the other 49 states in going to a closed primary system for congressional elections.

Currently, the state has an open primary system where voters can select candidates from any party. However, in the closed primary, voters will only be able to choose from among candidates of the party to which they are registered. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two move to a run-off election with the winner facing the winning candidate from the other party primary in the general election.

Louisiana originally had a closed primary system until the early 1970s when it was changed by the legislature after a strong push from former Gov. Edwin Edwards.