From Jerry Romero The Daily Advertiser- "Ventilation not answer to problems of smoking"

Separately ventilated or enclosed areas in restaurants and other workplaces are 1) expensive to create, 2) ineffective unless precisely engineered with sliding doors, negative air pressure between rooms, and a separate heating/AC system that won’t re-circulate air back into the dining area, and 3) completely useless to protect staff who must service these areas.

The upcoming surgeon general’s report on secondhand smoke will be out soon, and it will state that separately ventilated areas are not acceptable as a means to protect workers and patrons from exposure to secondhand smoke, a known cancer-causing agent.

An enclosed bar is very similar to requesting a separately ventilated room or a smoking room, which has been proven to be ineffective in protecting the health of our citizens.

The health of workers and patrons takes precedence over private property rights. Smoke-free policies and laws create healthier employees who are, in turn, more productive, have less absenteeism, file less worker compensation claims and cost less to insure.

Stronger, healthier employees make for a stronger, more productive business. Now, members of the House must act on their responsibility to protect all of the state’s work force by passing the Louisiana Clean Air Act without the deadly enclosed bar amendment.