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• First Nations casinos all allow smoking 

With all four First Nations casinos in the province now allowing smoking, the NDP government has all but given up its efforts to bring them in line with the provincial ban on indoor public smoking.

The Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton began allowing smoking in 40 per cent of its area on Thursday even though it had previously followed the city's anti-smoking bylaw.

Deputy Premier Clay Serby, who represents the Yorkton constituency, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the decision.

In two meetings with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations on the smoking issue about a month and a half ago, First Nations representatives made it clear that smoking would be allowed in native casinos in Prince Albert, North Battleford and White Bear First Nation and possibly in Yorkton as well, said Serby.

After the government's strategy of moral suasion did not work, it now simply hopes the First Nations will eventually change their mind on the smoking issue.

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• EDITORIAL: Philip Morris is blowing smoke ($$) 

If it were actually serious about reducing the dangers of cigarette smoking, the company could just stop manufacturing cigarettes. Since it has chosen not to do that, it is a fair question to ask what it could hope to determine in its brand-new research centre. And why should the public should take the company's word for it if it finds with something that suggests smoking is - surprise ! - safe?

Its track record in research is not reassuring. Last fall, The Lancet accused Philip Morris of such selective publication of medical findings that as to turn the truth on its head. The public stands forewarned.

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