Tobacco.org

• Casinos trying to clear air of cigarette smoke 

But in an age when an estimated 80 percent of Americans don't smoke, tribal casinos are investing in smoke-clearing equipment to keep non-smokers happy and playing the slots.

"It's a business decision casinos are making," said Sheila Morago, executive director of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association.

"People say they don't want smoke in their faces. And engineers keep coming out with newer and better (smoke-removal) systems."

The Gila River Indian Community is spending approximately $500,000 on a state-of-the-art smoke-clearing system at a casino under construction south of Chandler. . . .

Retired Tempe physician Leland Fairbanks, now president of the Mesa-based Arizonans Concerned About Smoking Inc., explained that toxic particulates from tobacco smoke may remain in the air after the smoke itself is blown out of a room.

"And it isn't the smoke that kills anyone; it's the toxins," he said.

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