New Orleans—At the moment, April 22, marks a decade since New Orleans took a daring and crucial step to guard the heartbeat of its tradition—its musicians, hospitality staff, and everybody who brings its legendary nightlife to life—by going smokefree.
Ten years in the past, New Orleans made historical past. It turned a metropolis the place 1000’s of musicians, on line casino staff, and members of the hospitality sector might present up for a gig or a shift with out having to decide on between their livelihood and their lungs. It despatched a robust message: that everybody deserves a secure, wholesome office—no exceptions. A decade later, the music nonetheless performs, the drinks nonetheless pour, the cube nonetheless roll, and the crowds are greater than ever—solely now, the air is evident. And in keeping with a latest music census performed in 2024, an awesome majority (85%) of NOLA’s music neighborhood reviews preferring it that means.
That motion didn’t simply change lives in NOLA. It sparked a Smokefree Music Cities and Smokefree Casinos motion. Since then, we’ve seen cities like Atlanta and Nashville step up and comply with go well with, recognizing that defending the individuals who energy our music scenes, tourism machines, and repair industries, is each a public well being precedence and a constructive financial resolution. The music has been simply as candy and the venues simply as vibrant. Smokefree air is nice for well being and good for enterprise.
We have a good time this 10-year anniversary not simply as a glance again, however as a name ahead. Whereas New Orleans and different cities have set the bar, there’s nonetheless crucial work to be carried out—particularly in casinos throughout the U.S., and even fellow cities throughout Louisiana, the place staff stay uncovered to harmful secondhand smoke. Their well being and security matter simply as a lot, and we should proceed to combat for smokefree air for all staff.
To each advocate, artist, employee, and policymaker who made smokefree New Orleans a actuality—thanks. You’ve modified lives, impressed different cities, and saved the music enjoying safely.
Let’s hold it going.
Learn extra from the Metropolis of New Orleans.
Learn extra about on line casino staff and New Orleans, and browse extra on smokefreecasinos.org.
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Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for nearly 50 years, since 1976, to guard everybody’s proper to breathe unhazardous air in workplaces and public locations, from places of work and airplanes to eating places, bars, and casinos. ANR has constantly shined a lightweight on the tobacco business’s interference with sound and life-saving public well being measures and efficiently protected 61% of the inhabitants with native or statewide smokefree office, restaurant, and bar legal guidelines. ANR goals to shut gaps in smokefree protections for staff in all workplaces, together with bars, music venues, casinos, and inns. For extra data, please go to https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.
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