The Shreveport Metropolis Council is contemplating a decision that might repeal an indoor smoking ordinance that the native authorities company handed solely in 2020.
The Shreveport Metropolis Council discusses a proposal to permit designated on line casino smoking indoors. Town made its casinos go smoke-free via a 2020 native ordinance. (Picture: Shreveport Instances)
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Shreveport native officers in June 2020 handed Ordinance No. 51, the Smoke-Free Air Act, which prolonged the indoor smoking ban to casinos and bars. Beforehand, town allowed casinos and bars that derive nearly all of their income from alcohol gross sales to allow indoor tobacco use.
Practically three years later, the Shreveport authorities is contemplating flip-flopping its on line casino smoking ban. Native leaders mentioned when town determined to go Ordinance No. 51, town was beneath the impression {that a} related anti-smoking decision would go in neighboring Bossier Metropolis.
However Bossier Metropolis determined to not observe via in banning indoor on line casino smoking. Some say that has given Bossier Metropolis’s three riverboats — Margaritaville Resort On line casino, Boomtown, and Horseshoe — an higher hand over the 2 casinos in Shreveport.
Within the coming years, Bossier will add a fourth on line casino as soon as the shuttered Diamond Jacks property undergoes a $250 million redevelopment, ensuing in a brand new above-land on line casino. Shreveport is presently dwelling to Bally’s and Sam’s City.
Smoking Sections Proposed
Shreveport Councilmember Gary Brooks believes town ought to enable gamblers who want to smoke the chance to take action. That’s why he launched a revision to Ordinance No. 51, permitting the city’s casinos to designate smoking sections on their gaming flooring.
Brooks’ proposal seeks to permit casinos to allocate as much as 25% of their gaming house for smoking. That falls in step with Atlantic Metropolis, the place casinos can even select to allow tobacco smoking in one-quarter of the on line casino.
Brooks mentioned the remainder of the resorts would wish to stay completely smoke-free, together with the on line casino eating places and lodge.
Brooks added that Shreveport casinos have skilled a decline in visitation because the smoking ban went into impact. Opponents of reversing course in relation to smoking say Bossier Metropolis casinos have additionally skilled patron declines.
I do suppose that our casinos are seeing a downturn. I can’t contribute that to not smoking,” Shreveport Councilor Grayson Boucher mentioned throughout the council’s assembly this week. “I’m not for going backward. I cannot be voting to amend this laws to permit smoking.”
Information from the Louisiana Gaming Management Board reveals that entries to all 5 Shreveport/Bossier Metropolis casinos have skilled related admission declines since 2019. In contrast with 2019, Shreveport on line casino attendance is down 32%, whereas Bossier Metropolis casinos have welcomed 29% fewer company.
Well being Officers’ Scold Consideration
The Shreveport Metropolis Council is predicted to vote on reintroducing smoking on on line casino flooring throughout its Could 23 assembly. Well being officers are encouraging councilors to not reverse course.
The surgeon normal has mentioned that smoke-free office insurance policies are the one approach to forestall second-hand smoke publicity at work,” mentioned Alice Kline of the American Most cancers Society. “Separating individuals who smoke from those that don’t, and cleansing the air and ventilating the constructing, can’t forestall publicity if folks nonetheless smoke contained in the constructing.”
Dr. Martha Whyte, regional medical director for the Louisiana Division of Well being, mentioned the council prioritizes the casinos’ financial well being over employees’ well being.
“Town council is targeted on the economics of the casinos, however they’re not contemplating the well being and wellness of the on line casino staff,” concluded Dr. Whyte.
