Letter: Casinos should have nonsmoking sections — now

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2004 | 9:32 a.m.

All issues are important to address and discuss, but like Sandra Hanson said in her recent letters to the editor, the casinos better wise up; air quality is very important, and by far exceeds all of the above.

I predict some major lawsuits in the future -- it's just a matter of time. The companies that own and operate these public casinos must realize that secondhand smoke affects everyone, including their own employees and they have an obligation to do something about this major health problem. If nothing else, it's the morally decent thing to do and eventually their business would improve.

There are a lot of people who play the slots as a means of recreation simply because their health prevents them from golf and other physical outlets. Most of them were smokers and are now unable to do anything physical because of it.

I can't believe how very stupid I was, and in part, still am. Yes, I quit 19 years ago, but still go back into the casinos to play the slots and suck up that filthy secondhand smoke. The casino owners should be forced, by law, to create smoking and nonsmoking sections.

And there should be no smoking in restaurants or in places where there are children. This should be done because it's the right thing to do. We, the nonsmokers, get penalized financially and physically because of the weakness and inconsideration of the smokers.

SHEL BERLATSKY