Jump to full article: Baton Rouge (LA) Advocate, 2009-06-10
Author: MARSHA SHULER * Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Intro: Efforts to further restrict smoking in public venues appear dead for the 2009 regular legislative session.
The death knell came as the Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee voted overwhelmingly against state Senate-passed legislation even after being “watered-down.”
Senate Bill 186 would have banned smoking in all Louisiana bars, casinos and other gambling establishments. That was the version the Senate passed May 28 on a 22-10 vote.
During House committee testimony Tuesday, SB186 sponsor state Rep. Rob Marionneaux proposed a compromise that would have banned smoking only at bars that sell food.
Marionneaux said he had seen the handwriting on the wall as gambling interests helped shoot down a similar House bill when it came up on the floor last week.
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