http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/casinos.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.kansas.com/2012/02/08/2206733/ban-smoking-in-casinos.html http://tobacco.org/news/333501.html Don't treat the health of some Kansans as more worthy of protection than that of others. It was bad enough that the Legislature exempted state-owned casinos from the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act in the first place, worse when it let another session go by without righting the wrong. The hypocrisy should stop this year. . . . State Sen. Roger Reitz, R-Manhattan, a physician who led the fight for the smoking law, expressed uneasiness last week with breaking the state’s “promise” to casino operators. But there is no honor in upholding a promise that never should have been made because it compromised public health. If imposing a smoking ban on private businesses was a hard call for a Legislature that prizes property rights, extending the ban to state-owned casinos should not be – the key words being “state-owned.” Wichita Eagle Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_3b2a8908-5215-11e1-a35c-001871e3ce6c.html http://tobacco.org/news/333475.html The rebirth of the Batavia Downs hit another milestone when an expanded smoking room opened Friday at the historic race track on Park Road. Contractors turned a bar near the clubhouse into an expanded indoor smoking room, a $100,000 project that allowed the Downs to increase the number of gaming machines by 32, the facility’s biggest expansion since it opened with 586 video gaming machines on May 18, 2005. Batavia Downs was up to 608 machines until Friday, when the gaming floor opened with 640. The gaming machines in the smoking room tend to triple the revenue of those outside the smoking room. The 32 additional machines are projected to produce about $5 million in profits this year, said Michael Kane, president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., owner of Batavia Downs. Batavia Daily News trivers@batavianews.com (Tom Rivers) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/07/3738396/smoking-ban-wouldnt-include-casinos.html http://tobacco.org/news/333473.html Those who want smoking banned in all public places in the city and those who said a smoking ban would be bad for business and personal freedom presented their arguments Tuesday to the Biloxi Council, which took no action. Councilwoman Lucy Denton, who proposed the ordinance, said it combined points from smoking bans in Gulfport and Jackson but would need to be “tweaked” to fit Biloxi. “It’s just a starting point,” she said. Biloxi casinos would be exempt from the smoking ban, she said, including their restaurants and hotels. “We just chose not to include them because that would be instant death to them,” she said. Biloxi Sun Herald meperez@sunherald.com (MARY PEREZ) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/feb/05/smoking-ban-debate-might-benefit-from-a/?partner=yahoo_feeds http://tobacco.org/news/333331.html The Evansville City Council has before it a long-sought amendment to its public smoking ban; it would add a prohibition against smoking at bars, restaurants and Casino Aztar inside the city. . . . If there is a compromise to be had, it might be to allow smoking on the casino's gambling floors only. Shaw has said Aztar took smoking off a gambling floor, but that it underperformed by 50 percent. Look, if a council majority is opposed to any toughening of the ordinance, this issue will die for another year, and that would be unfortunate. But if a compromise might sway some members, then that approach might be worth the gamble. Evansville Courier & Press Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/03/3730620/councilwoman-wants-to-clear-the.html http://tobacco.org/news/333296.html On Tuesday, Councilwoman Lucy Denton will propose an ordinance that would make smoking illegal in most of the city’s public places. Casino gambling areas and bars would be exempt, but the ordinance would prohibit smoking in bingo halls, private offices, employee lounges, private social clubs, convention facilities, jails, sports venues and outdoor dining decks. The special meeting is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, Biloxi Sun Herald meperez@sunherald.com (MARY PEREZ) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.kansas.com/2012/02/02/2198958/house-committee-hears-bill-to.html http://tobacco.org/news/333181.html Lawmakers gave state-owned casinos a pass on Kansas’ 2010 Clean Indoor Air Act, which bans smoking in indoor settings except private residences, adult care homes, up to 20 percent of the rooms in a hotel, some private clubs, tobacco shops and casino floors. Now, some opponents of smoking want to ban it on casino floors as well. But casino managers say that could cost the casinos — and the state — millions of dollars. The debate played out Thursday before a legislative committee in Topeka. Smokers will go to tribe-owned casinos and cross state lines if Kansas bans smoking while gambling, Richard Klemp, a lobbyist for the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, told the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. And that could lead to a 20 to 33 percent decline in revenues, he said, because a large number of gamblers also smoke. “It’s almost like popcorn at the movies,” he said. “It’s one of the things smokers like to do while they gamble.” But tobacco smoke has dangerous chemicals that pollute the air in casinos, said John S. Neuberger, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Kansas. Banning smoking would cut down on the health risks — including those that contribute to lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and asthma — for patrons and employees. Neuberger advocated for lawmakers to remove most other exceptions to the smoking ban as well, although the bill — called the substitute for HB 2340 — doesn’t include other exemptions. Wichita Eagle bwistrom@wichitaeagle.com (BRENT D. WISTROM and FRED MANN * The Wichita Eagle) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://cjonline.com/news/2012-02-02/casino-smoking-ban-exemption-target http://tobacco.org/news/333137.html Health advocates and gambling executives vented Thursday about a bill repealing an exemption held by casinos from the statewide indoor smoking ban. Kansas lawmakers two years ago adopted a sweeping prohibition on smoking inside buildings accessible to the public that specifically exempted state-operated casinos opened in Dodge City, Mulvane and Kansas City, Kan. Favoritism shown these new gambling venues has been ridiculed as unfair by owners of other businesses, but also touted as a necessity if the casinos are to be economically competitive. The statute allows smoking on casino floors, but prohibits consumption of tobacco products in restaurants and other casino areas. Apprehension exists in the Statehouse review of this exception could open up messy debate on a wide range of gambling and tobacco policies. Topeka Capital-Journal Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/01/27/for-casino-workers-smoking-is-no-dice.html http://tobacco.org/news/332841.html Ameet Patel, general manager of the Hollywood Casino Columbus, said applicants who test positive for nicotine will be disqualified, and workers will be subject to random tests during employment. Penn National’s policy will mean no tobacco use on or off the job for its 3,200 workers, and Ohio’s indoor smoking ban means customers will have to step outside before lighting up. Penn National is joining the ranks of thousands of companies and hospitals that refuse to hire smokers in the hope of curbing medical costs and encouraging a healthier work force. Patel, a 22-year veteran of the casino world, called it an unusual if not unprecedented step in an industry where a vast majority of customers are smokers. “It is a very, very big change,” he said. The Toledo and Columbus casinos will be the only two of Penn’s 21 properties that ban tobacco use among employees, Patel said. Columbus Dispatch http://cricket.bamboocricket.com/ersweb/chatClientLogin?email=dispatch_chat@inbound2.bamboocricket.com ( Laura A. Bischoff DAYTON DAILY NEWS ) Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2012/jan/25/city-lights-1-gambling-smoking/ http://tobacco.org/news/332833.html In a gambling casino, you can lose your shirt — and worse, your health. That’s why several groups are working on California’s Indian casinos to go smoke-free. Many such casinos, particularly in San Diego County, have enclosed rooms or areas that are nonsmoking. But the reformers want 100 percent smoke-free. “In California, patrons are not allowed to smoke anywhere else indoors,” points out Narinder Dhaliwal, project director of California’s Clean Air Project. Why can’t laws that apply to other businesses also apply to Indian casinos? The major reason is that the tribes have sovereignty, but “the reality is that only Congress has the authority to regulate the tribes and thereby the casinos,” says Nikki Symington, a public relations consultant for San Diego–area tribes. My sources don’t know of any significant push toward casino smoke regulations gaining momentum on Capitol Hill. That’s hardly surprising. Las Vegas casinos are veritable smokehouses, and Nevada’s Senator Harry Reid is senate majority leader. Phil Toomire, who lives in the Temecula/Murrieta area, is annoyed by the smoke-filled atmosphere when he visits casinos, which isn’t often. He wrote Chuck Washington, mayor pro tem of Temecula (now mayor) about the smoke at the Pechanga Casino. “The casino operates under the jurisdiction of a private corporation on tribal lands and the City exercises no authority over any part of its operation,” Washington wrote back. San Diego Reader Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/smoking-ban-changed-to-give-bars-time-to-comply/article_cc2c6a35-2e7f-5390-9f76-f86c9107e021.html http://tobacco.org/news/332828.html The Indiana House agreed Friday to give bars 18 months to go smoke-free if a proposed indoor smoking ban becomes law. State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, co-sponsor of House Bill 1149, said he believes the change will ensure the smoking ban receives enough votes in the Republican-controlled House on Monday to send the measure to the Republican-controlled Senate. "This was a defensive move because of the fact there were a couple of amendments out there that wanted to totally exempt bars," Brown said. "So we said, why not outflank them?" At the same time, Brown was unable to stop a House amendment exempting a casino's entire property from the smoking ban. In the original proposal, smoking only would have been permitted on the gaming floor. The Times of Northwest Indiana dan.carden@nwi.com (Dan Carden ) Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.lvrj.com/business/two-new-casinos-in-ohio-say-they-won-t-hire-smokers-138252164.html?ref=164 http://tobacco.org/news/332797.html Smokers won't be hired at new casinos in Columbus and Toledo, a ban that's been adopted in other industries as employers try to hold down health care costs. Job applicants for 3,200 positions at the two casinos being developed by Penn National Gaming Inc. will not be considered if they smoke, chew tobacco or use nicotine patches, according to the company. Applicants will be screened, and any testing positive for nicotine will be disqualified. Random nicotine testing will be done on workers after they are employed, but the policy on that phase is still being developed, Bob Tenenbaum, Penn National's Ohio spokesman, told The Associated Press. Ohio state law prohibits any smoking in public places, including casinos, but Penn National's policy will mean its Ohio casino workers will not be allowed to use tobacco on or off the job. Associated Press webmaster@reviewjournal.com Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.indystar.com/article/20120127/NEWS05/201270381/Indiana-House-bills-allows-bars-18-month-delay-smoking-ban?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CIndyStar.com http://tobacco.org/news/332762.html The Indiana House voted today to exempt bars from a proposed statewide smoking ban for 18 months. Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, and Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, go authored House Bill 1149. They believe the change will give bars more time to adapt to a smoke-free atmosphere, and they both say the change could make the bill more palatable to the General Assembly. The House can vote on the bill as soon as Monday. After that, it would be considered in the Senate. If approved, the ban would begin upon passage. Bars would be included 18 months later. Other exemptions include certain gaming facilities, cigar and hookah bars, retail tobacco stores, and private clubs. And in another change today, bars in the "footprint" -- meaning "adjacent to" -- certain gaming facilities also would be exempt, as would cigar-manufacturing facilities. Indianapolis Star chris.sikich@indystar.com Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.theindychannel.com/politics/30314566/detail.html http://tobacco.org/news/332738.html Haggling over whether to allow exemptions for bars and more smoking areas at casinos as part of a statewide smoking ban in Indiana has pushed back debate among House members, the bill's sponsor said Thursday. Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, said he's trying to work with fellow legislators, adding that debate on possible amendments will begin Friday or Monday. "We're trying to reach a conclusion on minimizing the number of exemptions and still passing the bill," Turner said. The current bill would prohibit smoking in nearly all public places and workplaces, including bars. It would continue to allow smoking on casino gambling floors and at fraternal and veterans clubs, cigar and hookah bars and retail tobacco shops. Some House members plan to seek additional exemptions for bars and all buildings on casino property. WRTV-Ch. 6 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.mesquitelocalnews.com/viewnews.php?newsid=9095&id=23 http://tobacco.org/news/332715.html In response to Mr.Toval who wants to make Mesquite a smoke-free community, I would like to know if he or his wife have ever smoked in their lifetime? I would also like to know if he is a 12-month resident or a snowbird? When he addressed the city council previously, he said his wife is on oxygen. . . . Why we should give up our rights to smoke to protect his right to not smoke. The restaurants are smoke free. Therefore, why doesn't you buy her a computer so she can gamble online at home where it is smoke free? Has he been on the hills around Mesquite and seen the polluted air from the blowing sand and dust that is in our desert? The air in the casinos is cleaner than the air outdoors. Has he fought for the freedoms of all and not just one? Why does he think he deserves the right to take away our freedom to justify his wants? I bet he voted for Obama. Mesquite Local News Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/smokers-not-eligible-for-jobs-in-some-ohio-casinos-1318676.html?cxtype=rss_local-news http://tobacco.org/news/332677.html Job seekers who smoke, chew tobacco or even use nicotine patches won't be considered for the 3,200 casino jobs in Toledo and Columbus when Penn National starts filling positions later this year. Hollywood Casino Columbus General Manager Ameet Patel said applicants who test positive for nicotine will be disqualified and workers will be subject to random tests during employment. Penn National's policy will mean no tobacco use on or off the job for their 3,200 workers and Ohio's indoor smoking ban means customers will have to step outside before lighting up. Penn National is joining the ranks of thousands of companies and hospitals that refuse to hire smokers in the hopes of curbing medical costs and encouraging a healthier workforce. Patel, a 22-year veteran of the casino world, called it an unusual if not unprecedented step in an industry where a vast majority of customers are smokers. "It is a very, very big change," he said. The Toledo and Columbus casinos will be the only two of Penn's 21 properties that ban tobacco use among employees, Patel said. Dayton Daily News laura.bischoff@coxinc.com ( Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau ) Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT