Anti-smoking advocates in North Carolina push for a ban on indoor tobacco use at casinos.
A national organization working to remove the negative effects of secondhand smoke is asking North Carolina legislators to forbid indoor smoking at casinos if commercial gambling is legalized in the state.
The North Carolina General Assembly is currently debating a budget bill, and sources say the casino measure suggested as an added aspect is causing a budget deadlock. Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) is spearheading the casino initiative under the premise that it will prevent gambling money from flowing towards Virginia as commercial casinos open there.
Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights (ANR), an anti-smoking group formed almost 40 years ago, penned letters this week to Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) urging the state to enforce an indoor smoking ban at casinos if Berger's bill is integrated into the budget.
Berger's casino proposal aims to allow a single resort in Rockingham, Anson, and Nash counties. The gaming measure allegedly also safeguards the eastern part of North Carolina for the potential Lumbee Tribe tribal casino should it obtain federal recognition.
Officials from the three counties claim they're being overlooked in the state gaming conversations. Residents and county officials have spoken out against Berger and his allies for attempting to promote casino gambling in areas that may not wish to have Vegas-style resorts in their neighborhoods.
No Smoking Appeal
ANR President Cynthia Hallett's letter to Berger and Moore outlines the health hazards employees experience in an indoor environment where smoking is permitted or partially tolerated. Hallett emphasizes the importance of preventing indoor smoking to ensure the well-being of both staff and guests inside casinos.
Hallett warns the Assembly about the casino lobby asserting that a complete indoor smoking ban would negatively impact revenue and, by extension, tax revenue. She also highlights the fact that North Carolina's three tribal casinos: Harrah's Cherokee, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River, and Catawba Two Kings Casino, are already smoke-free.
"Outmoded arguments in favor of maintaining indoor smoking are irrelevant," Hallett noted. "You have the opportunity to establish a modern commercial casino industry. We encourage you to seize this opportunity to create a thriving casino industry that can reach a broader audience and safeguard the health of all North Carolinians."
ANR backs a coalition of casino employees called "Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects," or CEASE, who advocate for smoke-free workplaces.
"Workers in these workplaces have testified before lawmakers, discussing their terrifying experiences of working surrounded by high-rollers smoking cigars and developing cancer after decades in the casinos," Hallett added. "In areas like Atlantic City and elsewhere, casinos have struggled to recruit table games dealers because workers are unwilling to risk their health working hours on end in a smoking casino."
Commercial Casino Smoking by State
Twenty-seven states allow commercial casinos or racinos. Among those, only 10 states completely prohibit indoor smoking on the game floors.
The states with fully smoke-free gambling facilities are Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, and South Dakota. Virginia permits smoking anywhere on the gaming floor at its commercial casinos.
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Source: www.casino.org
