An attempt to expand Louisiana's anti-smoking law has failed. House members voted Tuesday afternoon 71-29 against Norco Rep. Gary Smith's bill to add bars, casinos and off-track betting parlors to the state's prohibition on smoking in restaurants, public places, public buildings and most places of employment.
Opponents argued it would have driven business away from Louisiana casinos and into Mississippi.
"We...cannot afford to have this bill to pass," said Shreveport Rep. Barbara Norton. "Can we afford to lose those tax revenues?"
Norton was among several lawmakers who said the bill would lead to the state collecting less money from casinos because smoking gamblers would go elsewhere.
Smith argued that his bill would save money for Louisiana businesses.
"You know it costs businesses in the state of Louisiana over two billion dollars a year related to lost productivity and maintenance associated with smoking?" Smith asked his colleagues before the vote.
Smith's bill wasn't the only one pending this session that would severely restrict smoking in Louisiana. The Louisiana Senate approved a similar bill, but that bill must pass the same house that just soundly defeated Smith's bill.
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