New Orleans—Today, April 22, marks a decade since New Orleans took a bold and necessary step to protect the heartbeat of its culture—its musicians, hospitality workers, and everyone who brings its legendary nightlife to life—by going smokefree.

Ten years ago, New Orleans made history. It became a city where thousands of musicians, casino workers, and members of the hospitality sector could show up for a gig or a shift without having to choose between their livelihood and their lungs. It sent a powerful message: that everyone deserves a safe, healthy workplace—no exceptions.  A decade later, the music still plays, the drinks still pour, the dice still roll, and the crowds are bigger than ever—only now, the air is clear. And according to a recent music census conducted in 2024, an overwhelming majority (85%) of NOLA’s music community reports preferring it that way.

That action didn’t just change lives in NOLA. It sparked a Smokefree Music Cities and Smokefree Casinos movement. Since then, we’ve seen cities like Atlanta and Nashville step up and follow suit, recognizing that protecting the people who power our music scenes, tourism machines, and service industries, is both a public health priority and a positive economic decision. The music has been just as sweet and the venues just as vibrant. Smokefree air is good for health and good for business.

We celebrate this 10-year anniversary not just as a look back, but as a call forward. While New Orleans and other cities have set the bar, there’s still critical work to be done—especially in casinos across the U.S., and even fellow cities across Louisiana, where workers remain exposed to dangerous secondhand smoke. Their health and safety matter just as much, and we must continue to fight for smokefree air for all workers.

To every advocate, artist, worker, and policymaker who made smokefree New Orleans a reality—thank you. You’ve changed lives, inspired other cities, and kept the music playing safely.

Let’s keep it going.

Read more from the City of New Orleans.

Read more about casino workers and New Orleans, and read more on smokefreecasinos.org.

Read more about smokefree casinos.

Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for almost 50 years, since 1976, to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANR has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANR aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.

                                 
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