( CNN ) Cigarettes have been put out across the bars of New Orleans . Cigars are welcome no more . The city known for excess of everything -- drinking , eating , dancing in the street until all hours -- went smoke-free as Tuesday became Wednesday at midnight . How can that be ? It turns out that the city known for its over-the-top Mardi Gras celebrations and incredible jazz fests ( starting Friday ! ) did n't want its waiters and musicians to have to breathe smoke to do their jobs anymore . The New Orleans City Council passed its ban against smoking in most places across the city -- including bars , casinos and restaurants -- in January , and the vote was unanimous , the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports . Bar owners worried about potential revenue loss , while puffing customers bemoaned the loss of their smoking spots . Harrah 's New Orleans and bar owners filed a lawsuit to stop the ban , and a hearing is scheduled in state court in a month , CNN affiliate WAPT reports . Fines start at $ 50 . Luckily for us , none of CNN 's 15 New Orleans must-do 's -- including touring Treme or eating a beignet -- requires smoking .
all gay bars are smoke - free as of Wednesday morning . A lawsuit by Harrah 's and bar owners seeks to repeal the prohibition .