'Be smoke free, keep your promise.' Protestor chanted at Government Plaza Tuesday

Makenzie Boucher, Shreveport Times
Updated ·1 min read

On Tuesday, May 23, concerned citizens and members of the Tobacco Free Louisiana and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) stood in front of Government Plaza in protest to the proposed amendment to the Smokefree Air Act.

Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor and Councilman James Green listen to a citizen speak against allowing smoking back into the casinos during the  Shreveport City Council meeting on May, 23, 2023, at Government Plaza.
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor and Councilman James Green listen to a citizen speak against allowing smoking back into the casinos during the Shreveport City Council meeting on May, 23, 2023, at Government Plaza.

On May 9, Councilmembers Tabitha Taylor and Gary Brooks introduced an ordinance that would amend this act. The amendment would rewrite the ordinance to allow smoking in casinos and would make Shreveport the first municipality in Louisiana to withdraw smokefree workplace protections.

While protestors chanted, "be smoke free, keep your promise," members of a local casino walked into the council chamber. The Shreveport Times reached out to a Bally's representative in the chamber but was told no comment.

Employees from Bally's Casino attend the Shreveport City Council meeting about allowing smoking back into the casinos on May, 23, 2023, at Government Plaza.
Employees from Bally's Casino attend the Shreveport City Council meeting about allowing smoking back into the casinos on May, 23, 2023, at Government Plaza.

Tobacco Free Louisiana and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) hosted a press conference in collaboration with public figures Monday, May 22, and during that conference Dr. Martha Whyte, Region 7 Medical Director said that 75% of people who go to casinos do not even smoke.

Cherie Grey a concerned citizen said Tuesday afternoon, "it's detrimental to a lot of workers that shouldn't have to be in an environment to work if they are not smoking."

"I have some serious strong feelings to stop smoking," said Joe Merello a concerned citizen. He continued by saying that he was in attendance at this protest because cigarettes cause death to the whole body.

Following the protest citizens and members of Tobacco Free Louisiana and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) went inside the council chambers to voice their concern to the Shreveport City Council.

Tobacco free advocates decry Shreveport City Council move to lift casino smoking ban

Felicia Kay and Chris Lyon pose for a photo outside Government Plaza moments before they attend the Shreveport City Council meeting to speak their opposition to allow smoking back into the casinos on May, 23, 2023.
Felicia Kay and Chris Lyon pose for a photo outside Government Plaza moments before they attend the Shreveport City Council meeting to speak their opposition to allow smoking back into the casinos on May, 23, 2023.

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

Cherie Gray chants "be smoke free, keep your promise" outside Government Plaza moments before the Shreveport City Council meeting on May, 23, 2023.
Cherie Gray chants "be smoke free, keep your promise" outside Government Plaza moments before the Shreveport City Council meeting on May, 23, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: 'Be smoke free, keep your promise.' Protestor chanted at Government Plaza Tuesday