As we reported in November 2014, the city of New Orleans in the state of Louisiana proposed a new ordinance that would ban smoking in bars and public places. As you may know, IPCPR is heading to the city later this year, and this could have a major impact on the show and the activities that surround it.
Earlier today the proposal was up for discussion in the City Council chamber which led to a heated debate on the proposed legislation. The arguments varied from alleged second-hand smoke to the economic impact of a ban from small businesses up to large employers.
The crowd to attend the meeting was so large that many were turned away and in the end many people were not allowed to execute their first amendment right to speak on the matter. .
Despite this, Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell who authored the proposal asked that the Council Development Committee approve the amendments sending them for a vote to the full council.
In turn the CDC passed the measure with a 3-2 vote. The ban is on the City Council agenda for Thursday, however, Councilwoman Cantrell stated she would defer it to a later time.
New Orleans, LA is home to 378,000 residents over 350 square miles and was founded in 1718.
