A modified bill that would ban smoking statewide in most public places and tighten smoking regulations already in place in East Baton Rouge Parish was approved in a Senate committee Wednesday.
Members of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the Louisiana Clean Indoor Air Act, and according to the office of the Louisiana Senate, the bill will go to the full Senate next week.
University students are split on some of the provisions of Senate Bill 105, which would prohibit smoking in public places such as restaurants. Also, the bill includes public transportation, libraries, theaters, concert halls, museums, courtrooms and health care facilities.
Not included in the ban are bars, private residences, a hotel or motel room designated as a smoking room, tobacco bars and casinos.
The bill was written by Sen. Rob Marionneaux Jr., D-Grosse Tete, before being reworked in the Senate committee. If passed, the bill will serve as a guideline for future smoking bans.
The bill’s purpose is “to protect non-smokers from involuntary exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in most indoor areas open to the public.” The bill states the importance of striking a balance between the health concerns of people who do not use tobacco and the need to minimize “unwarranted governmental intrusion.”
The proposed bill outlines penalties for anyone who violates the bill’s provisions. First-offense violators could have to pay up to $100. Repeat violators could have to pay up to $500.
Louisiana has 14 municipalities that already have smoking bans. If the state Legislature approves the bill, it will also serve as a guideline for these municipalities.
East Baton Rouge Metro Council members enacted a similar public smoking ban this past August, which prohibits smoking in many public buildings including areas within 25 feet of entrances.
Judith Sylvester, Manship School associate professor and Smoking Words coordinator, said she thinks people should not be permitted to smoke in restaurants.
“Smokers do not have the right to make others sick,” Sylvester told The Daily Reveille. “Small children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop ear infections, upper respiratory infections and asthma.”
Josh Kleinpeter, creative writing junior, said he understands why the proposed smoking ban would prohibit smoking in restaurants. Though he is a smoker, he said he agrees the mix of food and smoke is not a pleasant combination.
“As far as restaurants, I don’t have a problem going outside to smoke,” Kleinpeter said.
Sylvester said smoking regulations are not consistent across the state; the proposed bill would set a benchmark that regulations would have to meet.
“As I understand it, the bill bans smoking in all restaurants,” Sylvester said. “Regulations are uneven across the state, but currently in Baton Rouge, restaurants that serve liquor can still have smoking sections. Restaurants that don’t serve liquor must be smoke-free. This bill will prevent smoking in all restaurants.”
Sylvester said secondhand smokers breathe in many harmful chemicals.
“They have said a lot of things about secondhand smoke being dangerous,” said Joshua Jordan, biological chemistry freshman.
Several students agreed the proposed smoking ban will improve health standards.
“I’m for the smoking ban because it’s a health issue for others,” said Rebekah Dumas, marketing sophomore. “I don’t mind if other people smoke, but secondhand smoke is almost as bad as firsthand.”
John Lee, business sophomore, said the smoking ban has important health benefits.
“It will definitely be healthier,” Lee said. “I feel bad for smokers, but for general health reasons, it’s a good thing.”
Dumas, a non-smoker, said the proposed ban is not necessarily just for smokers. Dumas said people have the right to smoke.
“It’s not really fair,” Dumas said. “If I was a smoker, I think I’d be upset about it.”
 
Contact Justin Fritscher at [email protected]