Hammond, La. Bans Smoking in Bars and Gambling Halls

In a 4-1 vote Tuesday night, the Hammond City Council voted to ban smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in bars, gaming halls and hotels, with the change going into effect in 90 days. It’s an addition to the city’s existing ban on smoking in most workplaces.

The city also has a smoking ban in place for its public parks, buildings and vehicles.

The ban, which can be found here, now requires smokers to be at least five feet away from doorways, windows or ventilation systems of a building. Some bar owners are concerned that will put their customers into the street given the city’s narrow sidewalks.

Bar owners are also concerned about being the primary enforcement mechanism of the ban before police are called. The ban states that owners and managers of bars that allow smoking can face fines of $100 per violation per day. Smokers who light up in areas where smoking is not allowed will face a fine of $50 per violation.

Hammond is located about 60 miles northwest of New Orleans and has a population of just over 20,000 people.