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Residents urge council not to repeal Lafourche Parish smoke-free ordinance
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Summary
Public commenters and health advocates told the Lafourche Parish Council on April 14 that rescinding the parish's smoke-free law would harm workers and people with respiratory illness; the repeal was introduced as a proposed ordinance and will return for later council action.
Emily Krupp, a resident of District 2, urged the Lafourche Parish Council on April 14 to reject a proposed ordinance that would rescind the parish's indoor smoke-free rules. "Keeping this ordinance in place is the right decision for the people who live and work in our community," Krupp said, describing severe asthma and arguing ventilation cannot fully protect workers in bars, casinos and restaurants.
Krupp told the council that smoke-free laws are designed to protect employees who cannot avoid exposure and that communities that have adopted such ordinances have not shown long-term harm to businesses. Earlier public commenter Donovan Freeman, speaking on behalf of bars and casinos, apologized for industry stakeholders' earlier failure to notice the matter and thanked the council for the opportunity to offer input on the proposed repeal.
Chair opened the meeting and noted the smoking repeal is a proposed ordinance (item 9) that councilman Lorraine introduced for later consideration. No final vote was taken on April 14. The chair said public input would be taken prior to any council deliberation and vote on ordinances at a future meeting.
The exchange followed broader discussion about public health proclamations earlier in the meeting: Parish President Mitch Ojourner had proclaimed April as Black Maternal Health Week and discussed the locally operated Healthy Start program, which invited residents to access free home visiting, case management and material supports.
Next steps: the proposed repeal (item 9) remains on the council's docket as an introduced ordinance; council members and members of the public can expect a formal hearing and a vote on a later meeting agenda.
