Tobacco.org

• Continued smoking in reservation bars, casinos boosts business, raises questions 

ROCKY BOY -- Smoking and gambling have gone hand in hand for Deanna Standing Rock for years.

But when the statewide smoking ban went into full effect earlier this month, adding bars and casinos to the list of public places where smoking is not allowed, Standing Rock didn't fear an end to her smoke-and-slots routine. That's because she plays at a casino located on one of Montana's seven Indian reservations, where smoking is still allowed inside bars and casinos.

Reservations are exempt from the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act, although far-reaching smoking bans have been implemented by Montana's sovereign tribes. The act does apply to nontribal members who own bars and casinos on Indian reservations.

The exemption has created a competitive edge for businesses such as the Chippewa Cree tribe's Northern Winz Casino on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, according to casino officials. They are now marketing the casino as smoker friendly in order to lure customers away from bars and casinos located off the reservation.

Jump to full article »

LETTER: Make all public places 100 percent smoke free  

As a cardiologist and regional president of the American Heart Association in New Jersey, I remain gravely concerned about our state's safeguards against exposure to second-hand smoke, specifically as this unresolved public health issue lingers in Atlantic City casinos.

The link between second-hand smoke and cardiovascular disease is indisputable. According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 35,000 heart disease deaths annually are associated with environmental tobacco smoke.

Jump to full article »

Casino smoking battle stalls 

Looking to avoid a legal fight to force a smoking ban in Oregon's nine tribal casinos, the American Lung Association of Oregon has withdrawn its demand that Gov. Ted Kulongoski impose such a prohibition and has fired the lawyer behind its now-abandoned strategy.

The course reversal comes two weeks after the association's Portland lawyer, John DiLorenzo, sent a letter on the association's behalf calling on the governor to extend to the casinos a statewide smoking ban in place since January for non-tribal bars and taverns.

Despite the American Lung Association of Oregon's move, a spokeswoman said Kulongoski still plans to speak with leaders of Oregon's nine federally represented tribes about ensuring that casino workers and visitors are protected as much as possible from second-hand smoke.

In a letter made public Tuesday, the association said its mission "was misrepresented" by DiLorenzo; rather than "demand action," the Lung Association intended "to make an inquiry" about the governor's support for ending smoking in the casinos.

Jump to full article »

Bars, casinos smoke-free by law 

He's had four years to get ready, but Chad McLean nonetheless waited until the last minute to start preparing for the implementation of the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act, which bans smoking in buildings open to the public starting Thursday.

The manager of Jester's Bar on North Rodney, McLean this week was overseeing the construction of a fenced area behind the bar, designed to provide a place for customers to go outside and smoke.

"I was hoping something would break in our favor bar-wise or casino-wise in that time, maybe someone would fight for an exemption," McLean said.

Jump to full article »

Local bar, casino owners react to smoking ban 

News Local bar and casino owners are begrudgingly preparing to turn their businesses smoke-free as their four-year grace period from the statewide smoke ban will expire Thursday.

Some establishments are constructing outdoor smoking shelters to dull the sharpness of Montana's changeable weather, and all bars and casinos will be hanging up fresh "no smoking" signs Thursday morning.

With exception to standalone bars and casinos, all indoor public places in Montana went smoke-free October 2005.

"The need to breathe smoke-free air has priority over the desire to smoke," the measure reads.

Libby bar and casino owners are complaining less about the smoke ban negatively affecting business and more about the government's heavy hand getting into individual rights.

Jump to full article »

AC set to renew battle over casino smoking ban  

e remains as hazy as the cigarette smoke over the blackjack tables.

Atlantic City was set to ban all smoking last October, but backed off when the recession hit, promising to reconsider in a year.

But there's still no consensus on whether to stick with the current arrangement, which permits smoking on 25 percent of the casino floor, or to try again for a total ban.

"Right now, I don't see where many minds have changed on council," said City Council President William "Speedy" Marsh, who plans to poll council members soon on the issue.

Marsh, who has battled health problems over the past year, said he personally favors trying again for a total ban on smoking. . . .

But the casinos continue to oppose a total ban. Already battered by the poor economy and fierce competition from Pennsylvania and New York slots parlors, the gambling halls fear even further revenue declines they say would happen when their smoking customers take their business elsewhere.

Jump to full article »

• Bingo fight lights up over smoking ban  

Bingo parlors on opposite ends of Richland County are suing each other, claiming their competitors are ignoring a county law that prohibits smoking.

The two - Carolina Gold Bingo on Decker Boulevard and Mr. Bingo on St. Andrews Road - have hired well-known lawyers, as well as private investigators to spy on each others' customers.

At the heart of the dispute is Richland County Council's indecision about how vigorously to enforce a law that has generated few reports of violations and carries just a $25 fine. . . .

The lengths to which the bingo parlors are going hints at the lucrative and competitive nature of the business.

The two parlors - among four total in Richland County - each grossed more than $700,000 last year. Carolina Gold was only open part of the year.

The operators don't keep all the profits, though.

Under state law, bingo games must benefit "fraternal, religious or charitable organizations," said Adrienne Fairwell, a spokeswoman for the S.C. Department of Revenue.

However, the state agency is not privvy to the individual contracts that set out how much of the net proceeds a promoter shares with a nonprofit group, she said.

Jump to full article »

NV Supreme Court upholds indoor smoking ban  

The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutionality of the state's indoor smoking ban, but rejected criminal enforcement of the voter approved measure.

In their 34-page opinion, the justices found in favor of civil actions against violators of the ban, but ruled that that Clark County District Judge Doug Herndon properly found criminal enforcement unconstitutional. They rejected arguments from the state attorney general's office appealing that finding.

Several Las Vegas businesses appealed civil penalty, which call for fines of up to $100, arguing the law violates equal protection guarantees because it exempts gambling areas in large casinos--those with nonrestricted gaming licenses--as well as stand-along taverns and strip clubs.

They argued "no rational reason exists" to allow smoking in one place but not another based solely on what type of gaming license the business holds. . . .

In his dissent, Cherry said the majority's reasoning for allowing smoking in casino areas but not others businesses "misses the mark."

The majority, he said, "ignores the reality that the dangers of secondhand smoke are the same whether the smoking is in a nonrestricted or restricted gaming licensee's business."

Jump to full article »

Empress Casino In Joliet Lays Off 56 Workers  

Empress Casino employees survived a fire that shut down the operation for three months. But 56 casino workers lost their jobs last week in cuts the company attributed in part to a "soft economy." . . .

Illinois casinos began to cut back on employment since a statewide smoking ban went into effect in January 2008, said Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association.

Casino revenues fell after the ban went into effect. Chicago-area casinos were especially hard hit since customers had the option of going to Indiana where they could both smoke and gamble.

Jump to full article »

VIDEO: Citizens expected to help enforce MT smoking ban  

It's a typical bar scene of drinks, food, and friends. But something is missing. Other than the casino, Montana Chad's has been smoke free since June 1st.

"We haven't had any problems at all. It's posted," says Montana Chad's co-owner, Cam Schieno. "It's posted inside the bar, it's posted inside the restaurant."

Come October 1st every bar and casino in Montana will have to follow Schieno's suite and put out the butts.

It's a new law, but it's the citizens who will have to enforce it.

"Clean Air Reporting System. And that'll be on the Montana Health Department website," explains Riverstone Health Director of Population Health, Hillary Harris.

Jump to full article »

Nitro looks at split over smoking ban  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- An ongoing dispute over the Kanawha County smoking ban has officials in the town of Nitro contemplating a divorce.

Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto says city officials are looking into merging with the Putnam County Health Department to avoid Kanawha County's smoking ban.

Officials at Tri-State Racing and Gaming Center in Nitro say the smoking ban has driven gamblers away and cost them millions in revenue.

Nitro straddles the line between the two counties. State law would seem to permit it to join up with Putnam, if that county approves.

Jump to full article »

• Oneida Nation, banking on tax-exempt status, buys cigarette factory  

The Oneida Indian Nation, which sells $34 million of untaxed cigarettes a year, has expanded its tobacco operations into making its own cigarettes.

The nation last fall bought a cigarette manufacturing plant in Erie County for $6.6 million, according to documents the nation provided to the federal government. The nation plans to release the news of the purchase today.

Sovereign Tobacco produces two discount cigarette brands that sell for $30 a carton at the Oneida nation's SavOn stores and as little as $14.50 per carton online. A carton of taxed, name-brand cigarettes in non-Indian outlets can cost well over $60.

The nation runs Turning Stone Resort & Casino, a dozen SavOn stations, a gaming software company and five golf courses.

Niagara's Bob Hilburger, who runs the nation subsidiary that bought the plant, said the nation wants to diversify.

"The Oneidas from time to time would look to grow beyond the gaming business, and they use me to help them," . . .

By producing their own cigarettes, Calvin said, tribes could cut out the wholesalers who are licensed by the state.

"It may well be that the tribes are thinking that it would be more difficult for the state to enforce tax collection on those Native American brands," he said.

Jump to full article »

Group pushing for smoking ban in new Kansas casinos, arguing ADA problem looms for state  

An advocacy group wants Kansas to ban smoking at its new casinos.

Smoke-Free Gaming, based in the Denver area, argues Kansas will violate the federal Americans with Disabilities Act if it allows customers to light up inside.

It says the state will be responsible for denying full access to individuals with lung and breathing problems because its lottery is legal owner of the new gambling in three planned casinos.

Jump to full article »

Casino owners struggle to please smokers, comply with new law  

When the owners of the Prospector Casino went to the city's Design Review board in April to present plans to freshen up the exterior of the 616 10th Ave. S. business, Dick Barnes mentioned he also was looking at putting up an outside shelter for his customers who smoke.

On Oct. 1, his business, along with other bars, casinos and taverns in Montana that have been allowed to let customers enjoy cigarettes, will have to ask them to step outside.

Montana's Clean Indoor Air Act, which went into effect in October 2005, bans tobacco smoke from enclosed public places, including restaurants, stores, public and private offices, public transportation, schools, health care facilities, colleges, etc.

Bars and casinos could allow customers to smoke indoors, as long as they didn't allow anyone under 18 in the area.

That ends Oct. 1.

The restaurant, lounge and casino Barnes and his wife, Nancy, own has many patrons who smoke. Barnes looked at some prebuilt outside smoking shelters available through a local distributor with price tags of $9,000 on up.

He didn't place an order.

Jump to full article »

EDITORIAL: Richland council shouldn’t tamper with smoking ban  

The Richland council is scheduled to take a final vote today on a proposal that would allow an establishment to operate "a portion of its workplace" as a "designated smoking area" as long as that area is separate from its nonsmoking area and has its own outside entrance and a separate heating and air system. This preposterous proposal would defeat the primary purpose of the smoking ban, unnecessarily exposing workers to secondhand smoke. . . .

There is growing sentiment among local communities that a web of smoking bans should be approved to protect workers and the public. Richland County wisely joined that movement by passing its smoking ban. This is no time to give ground.

It hasn't yet been proven that patrons abandon bars and restaurants -- or bingo parlors -- that don't allow smoking. Richland officials concerned about that have an alternative to making unwise changes in the county's smoking ban. They could -- and should -- approach neighboring governments about adopting uniform smoking bans. It makes sense for all parts of Lexington and Richland counties to have similar bans. Making public accommodations in the two counties smoke-free would address businesses' concerns that patrons will abandon them for nearby competitors.

Jump to full article »