WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Smokers and bar owners spoke out at a public hearing about a potential smoke-free ordinance in Ouachita Parish.
People pointed out to the West Monroe City Council, before their vote on the issue in October, some of the pros and cons. Proponents of a smoke-free ordinance say it’s to create a healthy work environment for everyone, while bar owners say it’s the employees choice to work in a bar or bingo hall, but one woman says that’s not always true.
Jennifer Vick of West Monroe suffers from COPD, after working in a bar much of her life. She confessed to the audience at the public hearing that after a bad relationship, with little education and even less money, a job in a bar is all should could get. Now, she says she’s upset with what some are saying about the smoke-free workplace ordinance.
“People say well you’ve got a choice where you work. Well, if you’re hungry, and you need money and this job is open, no matter what it is, you are going to take it,” says Vick.
Some bar owners are saying just that. Paige Roberts of Peppers Lounge in West Monroe says she’s afraid of losing good business if her bar goes smoke free.
“Peppers Lounge is not a place where people must go,” says Roberts, “they choose to go here, if they don’t choose to go here then that’s ok, they don’t have to come.”
Others against the parishwide smoke-free act, say it’s taking away the rights of smokers and are asking what’s next.
“Pretty soon they’re talking about cutting down on the menus when you go into a restaurant,” says opponent of the act, “how fair is that going to be when an overweight person sits down and can’t order what they want to eat.”
“If I eat a 2000 calorie meal, that’s not going to affect you,” says Zoe Rankin, “you aren’t going to get secondhand fat.”
While some bar owners are afraid of losing their customers, and Tobacco Free Living says bars in other smoke-free cities are doing well, Jennifer Vick says she’s simply fighting for a little room to breathe.
West Monroe City Council will vote on the act on October 8th, and the Ouachita Parish Police Jury will vote the day before on their version of the act. That act has already passed in the Monroe City Council, but must pass in all three to be enacted.