Smoke-Free Ordinance

New Orleans has joined almost 700 cities nationwide in going smoke-free. In January 2015, the New Orleans City Council unanimously passed and Mayor Landrieu signed into law a new, comprehensive smoke-free ordinance. The City’s new ordinance went into effect on April 22, 2015.  In addition to smoking restrictions that already exist under state law, there will be new restrictions on smoking and vaping (use of electronic smoking devices) in many locations across the City.

Why This Ordinance is Important

This ordinance protects the public’s health by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and encouraging smokers to quit. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. It causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases (such as emphysema), and diabetes. More than 20 million people in the United States have died from smoking-related diseases since 1964, including 2.5 million nonsmokers as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Resources for Businesses

Additional Resources

  • Fact Sheet:What You Need to Know About The City’s New Smoke-Free Ordinance (Last Updated 4/13/2015)
  • Chart:Overview of Where Smoking is Prohibited and Allowed Under the Ordinance (Last Updated 4/13/2015)

Regulations Passed

On July 23, 2015 New Orleans City Council passed legislation amending regulations for the enforcement of the smoke free ordinance originally passed on April 22, 2015. A factsheet explaining the process can be found below.

Law

  • Health Department Regulations: governing education, required signage, and complaints against non-compliant businesses.
  • Smoke-Free Ordinance:The ordinance was adopted by City Council on 1/22/15 and Signed by Mayor Landrieu on 1/30/15. The City Council adopted additional ordinances on 4/9/15 that impact the scope of the Smoke-Free Ordinance.
  • State Law: Louisiana Smokefree Air Act

Register to Receive a Business Toolkit

If smoking or vaping is prohibited in your business under the new ordinance, please register to receive a business toolkit by mail. The toolkit contains an overview of the ordinance and frequently asked questions, an implementation checklist, a model “no smoking or vaping” sign, employee training material, and resources to help smokers quit.

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