Letter: Atlantic City drafts fair smoking model

Sunday, April 1, 2007 | 7:33 a.m.

On April 15 approximately 75 percent of the casino floor space in Atlantic City becomes nonsmoking. Rather than a total ban, this compromise is designed to fit the needs of all the public. This effort aligns, roughly, the percentage of the public who are smokers to the percentage of floor space in which they will be entitled to smoke. Truly, justice finds the best solution for all.

This action seeks to appease the pressure placed on the casinos from the public and their employees. Other industries make every effort to protect the health and welfare of their employees. Casino employees are not protected from the damaging effects of smoke.

To date, we have seen extreme effort directed at protecting the rights of the minority (smokers) at the expense of the majority (nonsmokers). Every industry adjusts to change and so will the gaming industry.

Remember when there was an end to smoking on domestic flights? The domestic airlines' profit wasn't affected, nor will the gaming industry be affected. More of the public will patronize the casinos and profits will rise.

We love our casinos and understand the risks we take to our bankroll but not to the detriment of our health. Without an equitable compromise in Nevada, the public will likely vote to ban smoking entirely. The Atlantic City solution would also be in our best interest here in Nevada.

Martin McColly, Las Vegas