Print
E-mail
Share
digg
Newsvine
Facebook
Stumble
Technorati
reddit
Fark
twitterStrip resort sued over second-hand smoke
Wynn Las Vegas suit follows similar suit filed against Caesars Palace
Published Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 9:10 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 9:22 a.m.
Reader poll
Sun Archives
- CityCenter’s Aria to protect blackjack dealers from smoke (8-21-2009)
- Longtime dealer sues Caesars over second-hand smoke (7-23-2009)
- Smoking study capped Caesars dealer’s long, lonely fight (5-12-2009)
- Study arms smoking foes (5-7-2009)
- Closer look at smoking ban (5-1-2009)
- Casino restaurant patrons can't elude secondhand smoke (1-16-2009)
- Study finds high pollution levels in casino restaurants (1-15-2009)
- Smoking ban not doing all the banning sponsors hoped (7-21-2009)
Sun Coverage
A second Las Vegas Strip casino is being sued over allegations that the health of employees is being affected by second-hand smoke.
A suit seeking class action status to represent all affected workers was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas by Wynn Las Vegas employee Kanie Kastroll against the casino resort and its parent company Wynn Resorts Ltd.
The suit was filed by law firms including KamberEdelson LLC of Chicago, which in July filed a similar suit against Harrah's Entertainment's Caesars Palace hotel-casino.
Attorneys for Harrah's and Caesars have not yet filed their answer to that complaint. That suit has also not completed the significant legal hurdle of being certified as a class action.
Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Resorts had no comment on the Wynn suit Wednesday, citing their policy of not commenting on pending litigation.
The suit alleges exposure to smoke is causing eye irritation, coughing, sore throat, sneezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, wheezing, tightness in the chest, asthma, headache, nausea and ingestion of cancer-causing chemicals and toxins.
The suit claims some Las Vegas resorts have taken measures to minimize second-hand smoke on their gaming floors. MGM Mirage's Bellagio has a high-tech air filtration system designed to minimize such smoke while Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s Palazzo hotel-casino built "smoke-free corridors" in its gaming area and designated 50 percent of its casino floor as non-smoking, the lawsuit says.
"Wynn Las Vegas, however, continues to gamble with its employees' health and welfare in order to cut costs and maintain the status quo," the suit charges, alleging Wynn has not designated certain sections of the gaming area as smoke-free, doesn't allow dealers to have fans on their tables, hasn't monitored the health of employees subjected to smoke and hasn"t helped employees harmed by smoke.
The lawsuit alleges floor supervisors can designate tables as nonsmoking, but only at the request of a patron.
"If a customer asks a dealer "do you mind if I smoke?", Wynn Las Vegas prefers its dealers to answer "no, not at all," even if the tobacco smoke does in fact bother the dealer and causes him or her adverse health effects," the suit charges. "Dealers who tell customers that second-hand smoke bothers them will likely be subject to discipline."
"Employees at Wynn Las Vegas are forbidden from complaining about the amount of second-hand smoke that they are forced to inhale and risk losing their jobs if they voice dissent," the suit charges.
The resort sometimes makes accommodations for casino employees who are pregnant, but only at the discretion of individual floor supervisors, the suit says.
The suit seeks an order requiring Wynn "to take reasonable measures to protect its employees from second-hand smoke" and unspecified costs and attorney's fees.
The suit against Caesars Palace noted Caesars and sister properties Bally's and Paris were included in a study released in May by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health finding casino dealers had traces of a tobacco-specific carcinogen in their urine.
The NIOSH report concluded: "Non-poker casino dealers at Bally’s, Paris, and Caesars Palace casinos are exposed to ETS (environmental tobacco smoke) in the workplace air, and have absorbed an ETS-specific component into their bodies, as demonstrated by detectable levels of urinary NNAL (a known lung carcinogen). The increase in NNAL in the urine of most non-poker casino dealers at the end of their work shift demonstrates that non-poker casino dealers are exposed to a known carcinogen in the tobacco smoke at the casinos. Non-poker casino dealers reported a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than to unexposed workers, but the results were not statistically significant. The best means of eliminating workplace exposure to ETS is to ban all smoking in the casinos."
Discussion: 118 comments so far…
Post a comment
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Police: 3 arrested in officer’s death have gang ties
- Las Vegas condo hotels remain a tough sell — just ask Trump
- $60 million to stabilize neighborhoods buys five homes
- Hotels rein in risque advertising campaigns
- LV companies in denial about problem gambling
- Funny Face: Carrot Top’s stage act a mask of contradictions
- Reserve Rebels didn’t have time to panic
- Hospital privacy leak could harm patients
- System fails to catch contractor’s family tie with county
- Where to watch UFC 106
Blogs
The Kats Report
For props, Lewis Black needs only his manic delivery and torrid material (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
Sands China raises $2.5 billion in Hong Kong IPO (1 Comment)
Marquardt v. Sonnen scheduled for UFC 109
Bloggity, Bloggity, Bloggity
Will a fourth consecutive title by Jimmie Johnson be good or bad for NASCAR? (3 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: And then there were four
Top Chef Episode 12: On keeping it simple
Miech Again
Chilly start for Chace, but Stanback says he'll warm up (2 Comments)
- Live chat
- Tuesday, noon PST
- Chat with Krista Creelman
- Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question
Calendar »
- 22 Sun
- 23 Mon
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
-
UFC 106 at Mandalay Bay Events Center
Mandalay Bay Events Center | 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Julio Iglesias at the Las Vegas Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
-
Natasha Wicks hosts at Hawaiian Tropic Zone
Hawaiian Tropic Zone | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Tito Ortiz hosts at Tao
Tao | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Hiroshima at Santa Fe Station
Santa Fe Station
-
Frank Mir hosts at LAX
LAX Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
The Four Tops at The Orleans Showroom
Orleans Hotel-Casino
-
Amir Sadollah hosts at Prive
Prive | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
I believe that when you take a job as a dealer you know what the risks are as far as second hand smoke is concerned. If you dont like it you shouldn't be working as a dealer.
I believe that smoking should be banned from casino floors.
Workers or patrons in any business should not be subjected to effects of second hand smoke, under any circumstances, period.
I also hope that people that are still tied to nicotine whether by addiction, choice, or both get it worked out and are able stop doing it.
Exactly vc & bigb - What next, a suit about bartenders forced to be around intoxicated people... Everyones just trying to get rich quick...
vc...isn't it time that we non-smokers have some rights also? You want to smoke? Respect my space and do it in designated areas where I don't have to work or go! Good luck trying to win a lawsuit against the Mighty Wynn.
It's about frikin' time!
Isn't it in the job description before you are hired where they say something to the tune of: must be able to deal with loud noises, smoking, bad air, and things of that nature? Every job nowadays has that clause and they make you sign a piece of paper stating that you are aware of these facts. This plaintiff may not be trying to get rich quick, because 1) she's not Erin Brokovich, who had a sound case and 2) those people had no choice and weren't aware their water was tainted.
If the smoke bothers her so much why don't she quit. I'm sure there's a thousand people willing to take her place.
Take a look what happened to the Illinois casinos when they went smoke free. Business went in the toilet. Casinos in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri took the smokers business.
Oh for the love of God when does this debate end? What are the odds any and ALL employees KNEW that there are smoking patrons ( & employees)thru out the casinos of Las Vegas? Nobody forced these people to take jobs where smoking is allowed. Last I checked smoking IS legal regardless of what you crybabies crying foul think. What is this crap about "respect my space" about? I didn't realize nonsmokers had priveleges to 100% non toxic air(good luck finding that air)... when did that one pass? Do me a favor & take your healthy self attitude and make a real idiot of yourself and continue to jog down the streets where the car fumes must be acceptable to you.
If this idiot wants to make a living in the gaming business, then she has to deal with the vices. Smoking is not illegal in casinos, therefore her lawsuit constitutes a frivolous attempt to extort money from Wynn. What a POS. Every employee hired reads and signs an agreement acknowledging they the conditions of employment, yet some people think the world revolves around there ass. Go get another job, you joke of a human being. What is really funny is they sue about tips and now they want to reduce their tips themselves by eliminating smoking(which will elimate gamblers). I don't smoke and I worked in gaming 28 years. She should be fired for filing a bs lawsuit against a company who provides her with a living.
A message to alll non smokers from a non smoker. You do not have the right to tell other people what to do. You can however find a job where smoking is not allowed. I hope she loses her job, gets black-balled, and ran out of town It is what she deserves. Maybe someone should tell her unemployment is 13.9% and there are plenty of people who would love to work for Steve Wynn.
Good luck with the suit. Smokers have a habit of killing people with the second hand smoke who do not want to smoke. Allowing a known hazard in a work environment puts the employer at risk of suit. If the player was cooking Meth at the table im sure the casino would have made them stop. Well smoking is a known killer and affects people as far as 20 feet away with cancer causing chemicals. Like I said before GOOD LUCK with the suit the casinos should make smokers go out side to smoke and come back in once they have the high.
I gave up smoking years ago, but I'm not one of these Nazi non smokers who feel that their space is violated every time someone lights up five blocks away. Employees in the casino business know that they are working in a smoking environment and if they don't want the danger of second hand smoke, then they should work somewhere else. PERIOD!!
LasVegas2009 - Problem with your example is cooking meth is illegal from the beginning, but smoking is a 100% legal activity. Can I sue the players with really offensive body odor or stinky farts?
Just THINK a little before you pass judgement on innocent people trying to make a living in a smoke filled Casino. After more than 20 years of being a nonsmoker and alcohol free I suffer like EVERYONE in a smoke filled environment with Heart, and Respiratory illness caused by SECOND HAND SMOKE. In the beginning of my dealing career I had No problem with the smoke. After 20 years of breathing other peoples smoke I am having a LOT of health issues. Insurance companies, the surgeon general, the world health organization, the EPA, Doctors and many others KNOW that second hand smoke is a SERIOUUS PROBLEM. We (the Casino Industry) cater to people who are being allowed to Kill innocent workers with their filthy smoking habit and pass it off as entertainment for the reckless. We don't allow people to eat the wonderful meals served in Las Vegas and then dispose of their WASTE at the Blackjack Tables. That's what the bathrooms are for. Even the bathrooms are off limits to smokers. Smokers, PLEASE stop forcing others to breathe your WASTE. You would'nt like it if someone filled your pockets with their human waste.. I PRAY that I live to see this Law suit win and we see reform SOON on this issue. GO LAWYERS !!!
ok I am a person whom grew up around second hand smoke and could not wait to turn 18 to get out of the house because of it. I think smokers are selfish. If you want to kill yourself fine but others around you should not have to risk getting a disease because of anothers stupid choice to smoke. I am all for no smoking in Casinos you don't have to smoke to waste money at tables or machines. I would vote to ban smoking except in a designated area of all casinos. I think casinos should be made to have smoking rooms with gaming in them and they should be sealed off from the rest of the casino so those that make the lame decision to smoke and someday kill themselves with it can do it without risking everyones health around them.
As long as cigarettes are a legal product there shouldn't be any laws against their consumption.
I quit smoking - and just like environ stated above - I am not a crazy non smoker either - who demands "non-smokers rights"
everyone has the same rights, non-smoker or smoker
smoking is not illegal - and thanksfully Las Vegas offers smoking area's in which tourists and residents can smoke and gamble and drink (all at the same time) if they wish
las vegas has never been the type of city to discourage addictions, bad habits or excessive leisure activities - in fact, if you read up about it's history, las vegas was always sort of a refuge for people whether they wanted a quick divorce (or marriage) or whether they wanted to participate in "sinful things" which they could not do in any other city
these employees ALL know what they are getting into before get hired - they are the lucky ones who actually have a job
suing their employer for second-hand smoke issues is like my friend suing dominos for making him have to breath the car exhaust fumes while waiting at a red light during his delivery shift...
SIDE NOTE:
if they really are concerned with their health they should look to what they eat - being overweight is more harmful to a person than smoking since it causes a LARGE range of "sure thing" health problems - where as smoking only causes a few solitary health issues which aren't even a "sure thing"
----
Sure smoking is bad for you (so is poor diet, having unprotected sex, gambling, tanning in the sun too much, and drinking) but this is Vegas... deal with it
-besides- in my home town, Burbank, California - you can't even walk down the street or smoke outside in general (in the whole city) - and if you rent most land lords won't let you smoke inside either...
Crm - did someone hold a gun to your head and tell you that you HAD to work in a casino?
NO.
Myself and plenty of my friends would LOVE to have a job in a casino at the moment - we just don't have enough experience and it's competitive.
- In result I just work as a receptionist at a vet hospital, exposed to aggressive animals (and sometimes aggressive people), harmful chemicals for cleaning, radiowaves from X-rays, among other animal carried diseases... They don't offer health insurance and I make a measly 9$/hr
Do you want to trade?
Crm hit it on the head.
There was a time when people were not present to the effects of second hand smoke, let alone first hand smoke.
Now that we are aware absolutely aware of the impact, it is time to change things.
It seems to me people weighing in otherwise are most likely smokers. defending this nasty, often fatal habit.
There will always be the IGNORANT and the LAME excuses for why we should allow something this DEADLY to continue. Driving cars on the road is legal. Running over innocent people with your car IS NOT. We need tighter REGULATIONS and BIG PENALTIES for the SELFISH SMOKERS and the Industries that allow this behavior. Take your smoking habit OUTSIDE. It is the LAW in ALL INDOOR PUBLIC PLACES where Children are present except Casino floors. The cost of health care keeps going up thanks to the irresponsible SELFISH SMOKERS. Should we just step aside and allow theives to STEAL our cars and drive up the Insurance cost or allow Drunks the right to Drive while under the influence of Alcohol?? Alconol is LEGAL too! When YOU become affected by this terrible injustice and step back away from the smoke long enough for your mind to clear then you will SURELY see how bad this habit REALLY is!!
I totally agree denro.
It didn't used to be so obvious that second hand smoke was so harmful.
The most recent news about how second-hand smoke can trigger heart attacks is what really concerns me.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12556194...
I think most people defending the casinos case are smokers themselves. Addicted to a substance that you know is killing you must be an awful thing. Still no reason to make the rest of the world suffer because of your stupidity. Smokers are paying $6-$8 a day to commit suicide and think they have the right to force everyone else to live with it. We all know the right thing to do is not smoke, even the cig. manufactures agree smoking kills. Only an idiot would spend money on such a nasty and deadly habit in this economic recession. I see people begging for change at the stop lights and smoking at the same time. They spend enough to buy a house over 10-20 years yet they still do it.
Wouldn't the Nevada State Workers' Comp laws make suing the employer virtually impossible unless gross negligence can be proved on the part of the employer? How do you prove gross negligence when the activity in question is totally legal and unregulated by the EPA? If the workers at the casinos want to pursue this nonsense, let them file workers' comp claims and start with proving their complaints are totally work related.
livinginlv-
That sounds like a fair deal. Let the smokers kill themselves and each other in their own area while the rest of us get a chance to breathe. I'm sick and tired of coughing endlessly while trying to find a part of the casino without so much second-hand smoke.
vc & bigb-
Maybe if our economy weren't so addicted to tourism, perhaps they could find new jobs... But that's not the case. And obvoously, not all the casinos are doing what they can to protect their employees. Why won't Harrah's and Wynn Resorts install filtration systems and designate non- smoking areas? I'm just a paying customer, and I get sick after being exposed to all those lit up cancer sticks.
The cost of health care keeps going up thanks to the irresponsible SELFISH SMOKERS.
Beg to disagree with you on this. It is OBESITY that is causing healthcare costs to go up and ALL THE RELATED DISEASES/COMPLICATIONS that are almost 100% guaranteed when you are OBESE. Anything from high blood pressure to high cholesteral and it shows no age limits either. Children are being diagnosed with high bp. high cholesteral and Type II DIabetes - all normal adult problems - because they eat nothing but fast food and get no exercise. You think insurance premiums are high now - wait until these kids hit their early 20's. THAT IS WHO you will be paying those high premiums for. Smoking isn't the culprit. However - those who are obese and smoke are killing themselves - not you!
BTW - I am an exsmoker, but I don't begrudge others from doing it especially in a casino environment. But I never have even as a smoker and never will tolerate smoke in my face!!
(Gosh, I missed everyone!)
Im gonna sue the people my who made my toothbrush because the bristles keep wearing out :\
i'm going to sue Nike because they led me to believe I can jump like MJ, but couldn't after I bought the shoes.
Who do I sue for the air pollution caused by cars?
This is just the tip of the smoking "Addiction Iceberg".
People smoke LIKE CHIMNEYS in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, (and as do about 60% of the old people over 60 who live HERE) .
Casinos WANT losers, and LOSERS SMOKE.
Cigarette companies simply moved their cigarette addiction-machinery offshore when they got their butts whacked here in the US.
And if CANCER STICKS were introduced as a "new" product, today, the cigarette people would have to run to keep their death-product-butts out of JAIL.
Does the fire department protect firefighters from fire and smoke? Does the police department protect policemen from bullets and give them gloves to handle criminals? Do construction workers get hardhats? Dealing is a trade like any other and dealers are human beings like everyone else. They deserve safety. There is a happy medium and it will not be found by greedy corporations who do not care about their workers or by greedy lawyers. Some may not like this but the only answer is a third party, someone who can look out for the interests of the industry and its workers. A Union just like firefighters, policemen and other workers have. A dealers Union can solve this problem.
idabessie, Love it so very true. If you recall people a few years back there was the Silver City Casino. Smoke Free the place was allways dead? So if there are so many non smokers gambling and working makes you think what happened too it.
Non-Smokers shouldn't gamble and probably don't. Gambling is a risky behavior and so is smoking. (So is walking across the street for that matter.) Leave people alone and let them enjoy the casino experience. If that includes me smoking while I watch my savings disappear that's my business. Oh, non-smokers and casino employees complaining here's a suggestion, why don't you and the employees get your money together and buy you own casino (non-smoking) and see how long the doors stay open?
Everyone has lost focus here. The conversation is about people dying, not being uncomfortable but DYING!
-And-
This is the SAME crappy pro-smoker arguments we had about smoking on AIRPLANES until the FAA stepped in and BANNED SMOKING OUTRIGHT on all flights.
End of story.
No one held a gun to your head to work there, it was your own choice! You could work somewhere else. So suffer the consequences of your own choice. Frivolous!!
Smokers banned from Colorado casinos in July. It seems to be working out ok. Smokers take it outside, or use the designated smoking areas which are open-air but have heaters to make it more comfortable now that winter is setting in.
My guess is that the smokers get a patch from their doctors to reduce the need for smoke breaks.
Ban smoking in public places, please.
The Silver City Casino on the Strip went to a totally non-smoking casino several years ago, and it closed within 12 months. It was located next to the Peppermill Restaurant, and our Casinos try to have non-smoking areas, tables, and slot rows.
Ban it indoors. There's no sense in letting a tiny minority of people affect the health of everyone around them.
I don't smoke and I don't want to be around smokers. And when I used to smoke (10 years) I was courteous about it. I didn't smoke in crowds and I rarely smoked indoors.
Ban it.
Cool... Let's sue California for their second hand forest fire smoke. At least I can avoid the tobacco smoke by staying out of casinos.
This law suit is totally rediculous. Non smokers do have rights. They have the right not to enter an establishment where smoking is allowed. They have the right to refuse a job where in their working environment, smokers will be present. I know for a fact that there are companies who won't even hire people who do smoke. Go work for them and keep these frivilous law suits from clogging up the courts.
I wish these guys would sue the South Pointe.
I was there last Thursday night and again on Sunday night, and the smoke was so thick on the casino floor, in adjacent restaurants, and in the hallway to the hotel tower, I got a terrible pain in my throat which didn't end until about 10 minutes after leaving the South Pointe.
I feel very sorry for the employees.
Don't the people who run these casinos realize that lacking an adequate ventilation system, they will end up losing business to a casino down the road?
Smokers are addicted to nicotine. It is very difficult to get people who are addicts to think rationally. The evidence is posted above. This is about INNOCENT PEOPLE Dying because of smokers negligence. It doesn't matter what business or Industry. Many businesses have already made the switch to a SMOKE FREE Work Environment. A smokers habit is very hard to break. Any Doctor will tell you that a smokers addiction is as bad as a Cocaine addiction. If we continue to allow smokers suicidal efforts to rob the innocent people of a chance to enjoy a life without the addiction to nicotine, then maybe we should force everyone to become cocaine addicts. Where would that leave us? Pretty uncivilized is my guess. Smokers should have the right to continue smoking but not at everyone elses expense. Smokers stop NOW and you will be around longer to enjoy this ONE LIFE TO LIVE...OR Take em outside to fire em up! GET IT?
We are probably the only industry that treats its employees with total disdain for their health. I have worked around the smoke for 33 years now and yes it is my profession and my choice, but does that mean I waive all of my rights.
Why can't we have the best of all worlds and provide adequate ventilation for the comfort of the majority of people who do not smoke. I smoked for 30 years and it always bothered me at work, but I put up with it because I had no choice as a Las Vegas Casino Employee.
It is time to change this treatment for good.
Why do we side with the addicted, pure greed and money.
Steve Wynn don't like smokers.
Of course this is going to change, sooner [or later]. You just need to look at some facts and trends, then put it all together and use your brain. [Ignorant people like 'find-a-new-job' or 'it's-in-the-job-description' etc. just simply don't have that capability.]
Many years ago people used to smoke on airplanes, at work, public places, in classes at universities, etc. That has changed. Now you can't even smoke right outside the door of a non-smoking office building and have to go little further" Casinos are next!
Even little gaming casino towns in Colorado changed this year because of a new law. People just need to speak up for what's right. The fact is majority is not willing to put up with smoking, the smell, health risks, etc. It will happen.
Las Vegas & Nevada, change is coming. Watch!
If you smoke, you HAVE to find a way to stop.
Do what almost all other industry does with employees that work with air hazards; provide filter/breathing masks/systems. The lead smelters use them why not casinos? If the employee decides not to use them they have no standing to complain.
"If you smoke you HAVE to find a way to stop".
What about if you overeat, you HAVE to find a way to stop. Or, if you stink, you HAVE to find a way to bathe. Again, if you do not like the smoke, vote with your feet and go somewhere else. You mention the Bellagio and the Palazzo...go there...unless, of course, if you are like my wife, who gets physically ill from the scents they pump into the air at the Palazzo and Venetian.
I have a get-rich-quick idea...take my wife to the Venetian, wait until she gets sick and throws up on the floor, then sue them because they provided an unhealthy environment for her.
For those of you who make your living in the casino industry, remember this...as soon as you go smoke-free, high rollers will go to Macau, low rollers will stay home and do online gambling, and all of you will have your smoke free environments on the unemployment line.
Look at the casinos in Pennsylvania...25 percent smoking, and they could increase the smoking area if they could show the smoking slots took in more. The Beth Sands casino (one of Adelson's) showed non-smoking slots had an average daily take of about 111 dollars. The smoking slots took in an average daily take of around 351 dollars. They increased the smoking area to the max of 50 percent. The math is there...or are nonsmokers math-challenged as well?
Hey, why didn't anyone think of this sooner......
We should sue the auto companies for all the second hand exhaust their cars produce that we breathe in daily.
Better yet, we should sue the airlines for the second hand exhaust their jets produce flying in and out of McCarran Airport.
Anyone interested?
Having never smoked,I took a job managing a bar years ago. To me, The smell of smoke is the worst. That being said,I knew the mission when I took it! I beleive that the owner of an establishment should be able to determine what he or she does in their place of business. The owner should be able to decide their own fate buy the customer or employee that can agree on the service rendered. If math is a problem, don't work at a bank. If altitude is a problem, Don't become a pilot. Etc. Etc.......Let the populous and owner decide, Not the over zealous government!
smoking is a known killer but it is not made illegal. Why? because of all the tax revenue it brings it. think about it.
anyone who smokes is just giving their money to the government. most of the cost is tax.
So is driving! What's your point?
driving serves a purpose. smoking doesn't. driving has numerous positives and is the backbone of commerce. to compare driving to smoking is ludicrous. government could put an end to smoking tomorrow and not effect anything but the profits of big tobacco companies and tax revenues. so, they don't do anything about it, of course or else the gov't would lose billions. name one positive for smoking? there are none, unless you like big tobacco companies and taxes.
This is fantastic news! I enjoy the fine dining at the Wynn and other top resorts, but I can't stand the second hand smoke, so I don't go often. If we could force them to outlaw smoking, then us good people of the world could just go there to enjoy a nice meal every now and then, without having to breath the toxic air from the degenerate smokers.
"But Prophet, won't the casino lose millions of dollars if they outlaw smoking"? We'll yes, but that's also a good thing! It will slow down the amount of people who are ripped of by the legalized robbery you call gaming. At the same time, it will improve employees health.
People who gamble (vice) smoke (vice), that's true, and squares such as my self don't gamble or smoke, also true, however, they put nice eating establishments in those nice hotels, so they have to cater to people like me, and I demand that they outlaw smoking at once! Ya vol!
I'm presenting an amendment to a bill that mandates smoking become illegal IF and when universal health care is passed. It's common sense. Smoking causes cancer. Cancer cost a fortune to combat. Why should tax payers have to pay for the health care of someone who is KNOWINGLY poisoning their body with cancer causing substances? The bill will also prevent any past smokers from getting any cancer treatment. They knew the risks, when we get universal health care passed, they'll be told that if they ever smoked, or smoke, and when they develop cancer (just a matter of time ...tic toc, tic toc smokers, that's the sound of the cancer coming to suck the life out of you) they'll be on their own, to die a painful, slow death, wasting away in front of their families, with no medicine, not operations, no chemo, NOTHING!
Life is all about decisions. We need to allow those filthy smokers to off themselves ASAP so that the rest of us no longer have to breath their toxic air. Decisions have consequences. "Let it be written, let it be done" Yule Brener, famous smoker.
Tobacco is a legal substance. Either make it illegal OR FIND WORK ELSEWHERE. Whiny, entitled, lazy!
I'm just sick and tired of the people who come to Las Vegas for the "money" and then want to bite the hand that feeds them. As my father (who died of lung cancer) said, "We're all gonna die, no matter what you ban."
Me? I just took a job at the Fire Department; I'll be suing you for smoke inhalation after I save your life.
Whiny. Entitled. Losers.
Sergio, I have never smoked, Hate it! But The patron has the ability to not frequent the facility that is not to their liking.Vegasfun01,"Government could bring the end of smoking" Next it will be "Government stop the sun from shining so bright" Grow up!
LMAO, welcome to Calnevada. Nevada is becoming a mini California. Keep voting the democrats into office and we'll self destruct under their control. For those who've lived here for years, you have noticed a change. The lunatics have infested into our state and are reaching their poisonous tentacles into our society and are creating a State where welfare payments is the preferred income and our freedoms and being eroded to extinction.
I remember what happend to Silver City years ago when they went 100% smoke free for about a year. It put them under and they closed. They never could recover since they were a smaller casino and operated on such a small margin. I am a former smoker myself and LOVED nothing more than sitting back at the bar, having a drink and lighting up one smoke after another while I played some VP. My first trip to Vegas as a non-smoker was hard. That said, smoking is one of the safety hazards of working in the casino industry. Sounds like another "activist" gone wild.The lawyers are rubbing their hands together on this one, just waiting to pile on!
Everyone has long-standing RIGHT to smoke-free air. Toxic tobacco smoke kills 65,000 INNOCENT Americans every year. BAN ALL SMOKING AND BAN THE TOBACCO DRUG NOW!
More info. the pushers don't want you to know at: http://medicolegal.tripod.com/pureaircas...
I find it very interesting this little lady looking for deep pockets, just happened to find a legal firm from CHICAGO.
For some reason the CHICAGO MACHINE has a vendetta against Las Vegas. Yeah! Obama, his administration and Harry Reid and Rory Reid for that matter.
Bring on the case against Chicago's Lacy Thomas for his incompetence and stealing from UMC.
This woman is a shill, for the political/economic control freaks from Chicago.
They are killing the golden goose.
People are stupid and lawyers suck.
SECOND HAND SMOKE IS A JOKE. Ask the anti-tobacco folks to tell you what truly is in second hand smoke...when it burns from the coal its oxygenated and everything is burned and turned into water vapor..................thats right water..........you ever burned leaves in the fall...know how the heavy smoke bellows off.......thats the organic material releasing the moisture in the leaves the greener the leaves/organic material the more smoke thats made......thats why second hand smoke is classified as a class 3 irritant by osha and epa as of 2006........after that time EPA decided to change the listing of shs as a carcinogen for political reasons.......because it contained a trace amount of 6 chemicals so small even sophisticated scientific equipment can hardly detect it ........they didnt however use the normal dose makes the poison computation when they made this political decision. However osha still maintains shs/ets as an irritant only and maintains the dose makes the poison position.......as osha is in charge of indoor air quality its decisions are based on science not political agendas as epa's is. We can see this is true after a federal judge threw out the epa's study on shs as junk science......... Wednesday, March 12, 2008 British Medical Journal & WHO conclude secondhand smoke "health hazard" claims are greatly exaggerated The BMJ published report at:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/...
concludes that "The results do not support a causal relation between environmental tobacco smoke and tobacco related mortality. The association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and coronary heart disease and lung cancer are considerably weaker than generally believed." What makes this study so significant is that it took place over a 39 year period, and studied the results of non-smokers who lived with smokers.....
meaning these non-smokers were exposed to secondhand smoke up to 24 hours per day; 365 days per year for 39 years. And there was still no relation between environmental tobacco smoke and tobacco related mortality. In light of the damage to business, jobs, and the economy from smoking bans the BMJ report should be revisited by lawmakers as a reference tool and justification to repeal the now unnecessary and very damaging smoking ban laws. Also significant is the World Health Organization (WHO) study:
Passive smoking doesn't cause cancer-official By Victoria Macdonald, Health Correspondent " The results are consistent with their being no additional risk for a person living or working with a smoker and could be consistent with passive smoke having a protective effect against lung cancer. The summary, seen by The Telegraph, also states: 'There was no association between lung cancer risk and ETS exposure during childhood.' " And if lawmakers need additional real world data to further highlight the need to eliminate these onerous and arbitrary laws, air quality testing by Johns Hopkins University proves that secondhand smoke is up to 25,000 times SAFER than occupational (OSHA) workplace regulations.
The Chemistry of Secondary Smoke About 94% of secondary smoke is composed of water vapor and ordinary air with a slight excess of carbon dioxide. Another 3 % is carbon monoxide. The last 3 % contains the rest of the 4,000 or so chemicals supposedly to be found in smoke" but found, obviously, in very small quantities if at all.This is because most of the assumed chemicals have never actually been found in secondhand smoke. (1989 Report of the Surgeon General p. 80). Most of these chemicals can only be found in quantities measured in nanograms, picograms and femtograms. Many cannot even be detected in these amounts: their presence is simply theorized rather than measured. To bring those quantities into a real world perspective, take a saltshaker and shake out a few grains of salt. A single grain of that salt will weigh in the ballpark of 100 million picograms! (Allen Blackman. Chemistry Magazine 10/08/01). - (Excerpted from "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains" with permission of the author.)
The Myth of the Smoking Ban 'Miracle' Restrictions on smoking around the world are claimed to have had a dramatic effect on heart attack rates. It's not true. http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/s...
As for secondhand smoke in the air, OSHA has stated outright that: "Field studies of environmental tobacco smoke indicate that under normal conditions, the components in tobacco smoke are diluted below existing Permissible Exposure Levels (PELS.) as referenced in the Air Contaminant Standard (29 CFR 1910.1000)...It would be very rare to find a workplace with so much smoking that any individual PEL would be exceeded." -Letter From Greg Watchman, Acting Sec'y, OSHA, To Leroy J Pletten, PHD, July 8, 1997
-harleyrider1978
Smokers are trash.
Put me on the jury. Smoke outside or st home.
The owners of the property should be allowed to determine what legal activities are allowed on their premises........it's their property and no one has to be there if they don't like it.
It is ridiculous for someone to aspire to be a dealer if they don't like to be around people who smoke and drink.
what happened to vegas? Are county and city leaders turned it into a city. Why do you think Bugsy put it out in the middle of know where. So audlts could do what they want. The only people making any money is the lawyers these days.
Let's just get rid of those nasty smokers (most casino whales do smoke, by the way), let's get rid of the obnoxious people who drink, get rid of the fast food restaurants because not only is their food bad for us, but the cooking smells both inside and outside may be toxic, let's get rid of the pest control people because they use chemicals every day in our windy valley where who knows where those chemicals are spread to, get rid of obnoxious people who give me stress and COULD cause me to have a heart attack or a zillion other stress related diseases, why don't we all just stop living so the OTHER people can walk around with their heads up their *** thinking that they rule the world. I'm sure these are the same people who believe in global warming, that the proposed health care plan is "good for us" and we should all live their lives like they do. GET SERIOUS! I'll do what I want, when I want. As for that poor little dealer, I suggest she get herself a booth at an outdoor swap meet somewhere, wear a mask and gloves and she'll be good to go in a new occupation. The bottom line is, no one wants to work, but they all want the money. And little miss dealer doesn't want to give up the money. Boo hoo - you can't have it all, it's one or the other. Just my humble opinion. I have to go now and have a cigarette outside where all my neighbors get my second hand smoke - and everyone is still standing!
That should read former employee Kanie Kastroll
If we see you smoking we will assume you are on fire and we will take appropriate action!
Smoking should be BANNED in casinos. After all, the workers do have the right to breathe clean air. I think that what the casinos should do to keep their business is to market to non-smokers more. One study showed that there were more non-smoking gamblers than smoking ones. Additionally, casinos in Montana, Colorado, and other states are already non-smoking. Taos Mountain Casino in New Mexico opened non-smoking and is doing very well. Maybe casinos in vegas could sell nicotine patches and go smoke free.
just because someone smokes, that makes them trash? and really, as a resident, how often do you go down to the strip for dinner? c'mon. SERGIO and CRM, you are idiots, go make a commercial or something. Why don't we stop worrying about everyone else? I definitely don't think there is much of a comparison between a smoker and a cocaine addict. WOW. "YOU SMOKE! YOU MUST BE A SERIAL KILLER" can we say OVER REACTION much?
I'm a non-smoker. I'm not siding on the employee suing their employer. Face it, if the casinos are smoke-free, there will probably a lot less traffic. No doubt about it.
However, I'm advocating for an option of having a cleaner air such as non-smoking gambling section and better air handling near and at the restaurants within the casinos. I agree with one of the posters blogging about how bad South Pointe is. We were there for dinner with the family and my kid couldn't stop coughing. That was my last visit to south pointe. We take our money to M Resort. This is no different than having non-smoking floor for the hotel rooms. This is probably one of the most accommodating option to appease both sides.
These people are idiots, everyone knows you will be around smoke. I am not a smoker but think people need to get over it.
I LIKE CAPITALS!!!!
There is a happy medium here but it must start with the greedy corporations treating their employees with a little respect and compassion. We need not panic about the end of casinos but the fat CEOs should panic about the end of bleeding our cities workers to death. Its about time a line in the sand has been drawn. This can be worked out.
To all smoking glambers, I just want to ask how would you feel if someone sits/stands next to you at the table and fart and burp in your face. Do you think this is acceptable?
ban smoking in all public places now! does anyone really think smokers will stop gambling? they obviously can't control killing themselves slowly so why would they stop giving their money to the casinos. WIN WIN for all, if smoking is banned from all public spaces. Smoke at home and stop killing innocent non-smokers. How selfish can smokers get?
People who smoke smell nasty , can't you stop smoking for a night on the town. Let the workers breathe your polluting yourself with toxic chemicals along with the patrons let alone the workers who are trying to make a living swallow your smoke & see what it feels like . Cough ... Cough...
stand up people! ban smoking now! it is dirty, serves no purpose, and kills! smokers are selfish stupid people.
With thanks to Robert who wrote the following to the LVRJ;
I am sure that Ms. Kastroll is quite the loyal employee who has no other issues with Wynn...
Wait--you mean the same Kanie Kastroll that was an Organizer for unionizing the Wynn?
http://www.wynndealers.com/TWU%20Flyer%2...
How about the Kanie Kastroll who became a spokesperson against Wynn for the Tip Pooling?
http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=1...
You mean Kanie Kastroll, President of TWU Local 721 who has been active in picketing the various casinos?
http://www.twu.org/international/article...
Yes I was right--no other issues or axe to grind here.
It is only a hypocrite that would call all smokers selfish. Everyone has issues. I do not go to bars because the smell of alcohol makes me sick. I do not eat fast food because it is bad for me and tastes a little icky. Am I calling you selfish because you sit at the bar and drink for hours at a time, smoking or not. Do I call you selfish for sitting your overweight booty on the bench chowing down on Mc. Donalds double cheeseburgers? No I do not. Let's try to be grown ups! Do not cast stones that can be thrown back. You are not perfect, nor is the next person. Maybe people should be more concerned about stopping stupid lawsuits!
mmikol... - smoking effects others unlike fat people or alchoholics...unless they drink & drive, which is illegal. therefore, smoking should be illegal becasue second hand smoke kills people - this is a fact. if you dispute this then you are an idiot. therefore, employees who have to work everyday with the effects of second hand smoke have a right to sue their employer, tobacco companies, and the people smoking. one simple solution: make smoking illegal.
It's sad that there is so much debate about smokers compared to the so little debate about drinking and driving. When you inhale second hand smoke, yes it will effect you over time. With drunk drivers, they can strike and kill you (or me for that matter)soon after reading this article. But still nobody wants to put higher taxes on alcohol. You want to know why kids want to drink? because for a little more than a 20 ounce soda, they can go buy (or pay someone to buy it for them) 40 ounces of beer. And here is all the debating about smoking.GO FIGURE! Oh and just so you know, I am a non smoker.
Oh the pandoras box this will open if this dizzy girl wins. I agree with both sides of the debate for the most part, but wow there are some ignorant posts on here. Comparing smokers to cooking meth at a table??Wow just wow. Have these non smokers who feel above everyone not figure out thier bans will not work in Vegas?? I don't think you can name one bar that you can't smoke in(even though it is now legal). Why does everyone want more government? Do we not have enough already in this country/state/city? It's getting rediculous. I'm starting to understand why most of the world hates us. If this lawsuit wins consider this city done. We have to many people in this city(country for that matter) looking to make a quick dollar. If this goes through do you not think the rest of the casinos will be sued as well?What about strip clubs? What about bars?There won't be an industry in Vegas no affected by this ignorance. This will be the straw that breaks the camels back as most casinos are on the verge of bankruptcy as it is. So all you holier then thou non-smokers better figure out another place to go, because this city cannot support itself without casinos. As for smokers you can figure out a little bit of a compromise as not blowing it into peoples face. I smoke myself, but can't stand it when smoke gets blown into my face by people who just don't have common courtesy. I will put out a ciggarette if I sit at a table, and it bothers the people around me no questions asked. However there is no way in hell am I going to when they come over to the table as I'm smoking and asks me to put it out. Have common sense and not come to the table I'm smoking at. If I don't want to get my car stolen am I going to leave the keys in it on D street??Nope...If I don't want to be solicited am I going to go to a girl scout meeting?If I don't want to be hit by a car am I going to run across the 15?nope common sense will prevail and tell me not to do it.
************NEWS FLASH*******************
People kill people, should we ban them from casino's too?
All of you non-smokers should pack your bags and go back to Vermont or whatever green state you came from.
LAS VEGAS was NEVER meant to be a happy little city where you bring your mom, your family, your pets and your kids.
TO GET BACK TO COMMENTING ON THE ARTICLE:
This is Las Vegas (period)
No one is forced to work in a casino.
These people signed a waiver, acknowledging the second hand smoke - among other things - that they would be exposed to.
You don't take a job as a life guard and not expect to get wet.
You don't become a butcher if you don't like the smell of meat.
You don't become a police man and think you'll never get shot.
You don't become a surgeon if you can't stand the sight of blood.
GET OVER IT.
This case is weak.
Even though smoking is harmful oh well - compared to being obese or getting in a car every day - the likely hood that your health will suffer due to second hand smoke is next to nil compared to those.
It's the food you eat, the way you and others drive, the activities you do personally and the places you go (on your own free will) and genetics - that determine how healthy you will be.
P.S.
If you don't like the smoke, don't go into the casino. The casino is not built for just "non-smokers" or just "smokers" - but for everyone and anyone who are willing to go in.
Find another joby-job if the smoke bothers you.
Smoking in casinos started before the lady in the suit was born.
You know what your getting into when you decide to work for a casino.
I love when a pritzy girl waves her hand in disguist when she catches a breath of my smoke.
True, I hate smoke. And slowly, the anti-smoking coalition is gaining ground; ultimately, they will win out. Also, Harley1978 is "blowing smoke" with his contorted denials about second-hand smoke --BUUUTTTT...
As a matter of principle, all those above who are outraged and reacting against this lawsuit are in the right. The Wynn is a private property. People patronize and work at the establishment of their own volition. This lawsuit is wrong.
(Speaking of wrongful lawsuits: James P Reza, if you see this, I left a question for you on the "Subway Avenue" thread.)
This is the dumbest this ever you knew what the job was when you took it!go find a smoke free company to work for
7 bucks a pack to give yourself Cancer.
One of the Best bargains I have ever heard of.
MMMMMM, pure cancer tastes so good and gives me a little buzz, and hardens my veins and arteries so they crack like a pretzel.
No doubt smokers are some of the smartest most informed people on earth.
This lawsuit is about as relevant as the person that sued McDonald's a few years ago claiming the food they ate was unhealthy. Really? You didn't know eating french fries and burgers every day were unhealthy? About as relevant as a female applying for a job at a strip club, thinking they wouldn't have to dance.
It's not so much that we are not aware that smoking can cause cancer, it's more believing the people that tell you it does. When my doctor, who was about 40lbs overweight, told me I was not living a healthy lifestyle and needed to be more active, I laughed. I played ice hockey, softball, volleyball 3+ times a week, plus worked out at the gym on alternate days, so I have no clue what she was seeing that day, but don't believe everything you read. Nobody ever questions why a marathon runner, who collapses and dies of a heart attack at the finish line, died do they? Healthiest people on the planet? Does it matter that they don't smoke or eat unhealthy? Why do smokers sometimes outlive nonsmokers? Maybe you people should jump on the smoking wagon? Just a thought....
The saddest thing to me about all these comments is that it demonstrates how we can't seem to have civil discussion. Some people believe smoking should be banned and some don't. Stating that someone who smokes is trash or saying that people who would like smoking banned are idiots is so non productive. And not true.
There is absolutely no question that every American has the right to a healthy workplace. There is also no doubt that casinos do not meet this requirement, so any discussion on merit of this suit is irrelevant. The question is how it will be resolved. Thank god these dealers have left the door open to things other than an all out ban. If the Casinos do not do something drastic to mend their relationships with the casino employees who have been the #1 victims of corporate greed in recent years, then yes all this doomsday talk is valid.
if every casino bans smoking then this will not hurt anyone. do you really think smokers will stop gambling? that's like saying smokers will stop smoking. it rarely happens. it's called addiction and smoking/gambling runs their lives. plus, casinos would get more non-smokers to play since mnay are currently disgusted with all the smoke in casinos. and smokers are generally a rude bunch - blowing smoke in people's faces, ashing on the tables, etc.
the whole point of this case...to get smoking banned in all casinos...and it will happen.
if you don't want communism, you shouldn't have voted for Obama!
smokers should smoke at home and not in public places. you don't see your savior, Mr. Obama, smoking in public, now do you? Take a clue from him.
smokers kill themselves and the people next to them. stand up non-smokers! don't let the idiot smokers rule this world.
What do we do to horses when they break a leg ....we kill them, right? Follow me on this one. What do we do to unwanted kitties and doggies in the pound? Gas chamber, right? Well why not do the same to smokers once they develop cancer? Why do our tax dollars have to be spent trying to save their lives? I'd rather save an innocent dog from the gas chamber than a filthy smoker.
The Prophet has spoken. "Let it be written, let it be done" (Line from a famous bald smoker)
PS. That includes your filthy puppet president Obama.
OMG the "non-smoking nazis" are giving me a headache, get over it, i dont smoke but smoking is LEGAL, You would have to be a complete idiot to get a job in a casino and then complain about the smoke, for all those complaining about smoke, dont leave your house without a mask, that way you dont breath it in and so the rest of us dont have to listen to your bitching
So vegasfun01 you're an owner of a casino would you rather have an addictive smoker playing on your table or a non-addictive non-smoker playing on your tables? That's the correlation you're making here is that non-smokers aren't addicted to gambling like smokers are. The casino industry spend alot of cash to lure these people here. Do you want these addicted smokers/gamblers to step outside every hour when they are playing 3-4k a hand? It's a business pure and simple, and who are you to tell them how to run it? If they thought it would be more profitable to ban smoking like you are ignorantly thinking then they would of with no questions asked.
Over the years, they've tried non-smoking casinos. There was one near the Riviera back in the 1980's. Others have tried, It usually fails. Here in California it is illegal to smoke in restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, Indian casinos, etc. Pretty much any workplace. Most of them have gotten used to it, but the casino floors in LV are huge, so it's a long way to step outside and smoke. I'm not a smoker, but it is legal, and I tend to find as many overly rude anti smoking people as I do rude smokers. If you're a smoker and are near me at a casino or restaurant and ask "mind if I smoke", I'd thank you for the courtesy and say "go ahead". If you didn't ask, that's fine too. If you throw a cigarette butt out the car window, shame on you for littering. Basically, if one takes a job where smoking is allowed, they should accept it or get another job. She should try an older downtown casino, at least the newer strip casinos have high ceilings. The smoke tends to rise way above you.
They don't allow smoking in the Niagara Falls Ontario Casinos, however, the Niagara Falls NY Casino does, and has seen a noticeable profit since the smoking ban went into effect.
Las Vegas is already hurting in this recession, by banning smoking in casinos, the city will crash!
How is this issue being blamed on Obama? He's not the one that allowed smoking in casinos? Geezus!! Let's blame him for trying to clean everything that Bush created idiot!
Cigarette smoke in casinos is the only health issue that keeps my wife and I from spending more time in them. The Indian casinos in Northern California are really smokey. Both of us have sore throats after we've played in these smoke-filled joints for more than a couple hours. We've just ordered a pair of decent looking active carbon filter fabric face masks to gamble in.
These masks are used to filter out fumes, chemical and biological odors, molds, dust, smoke particulates, etc. The filters are replaceable.
Casinos should supply masks for their employees and sell masks to customers for a profit. Wake up and smell the fresh approach!
(Now I'm working on a filter system for my wallet to keep so many U.S.Treasury notes from escaping into the casino air.)
A question for those that do not smoke and that are sure that second hand smoke causes cancer.
Do you enter casinos that allow smoking? If you ever do why since you would be exposing yourself to what you know to cause cancer?
A lot of second hand things cause cancer, like stuff they put in the carpets to protect them from stains etc. should we ban carpeting?
I wonder made made Boulder Station poker room managers decide that smoking is permittet in their room? Whenever I happen to visit Boulder Station I check if they finally changed their policy. But they didn't. I liked to play there and used to play there so many times during my long vacations. I even stayed at Boulder and like that hotel because of the tiny tower.
Things have changed: The poker room there is one of the only rooms in town that allow smoking, and it's terrible!!! You can't play there unless you are an addicted and confessed smoker. Of course that's their plan but they lost all non smoking players and Boulder Station ruined it's reputation. They should rename their name into....Smokers Station.
Can Anyone Prove That 2nd Hand Smoke Has Killed Anyone? I Think People Who Sue Employers About Something They Knew Took Place When They Took The Job Like Smoking Needs To Be Sued When They Lose By The Employer And Take Everything They Own Or Ever Wish They Could Own.
Just Give Her Worker's Comp When She Can Prove The Smoke Has Done Damage To Her. Good Luck With Worker's Comp.lol lol lol It Is A on The Job Injury They Should Not Be Able To Sue The Employer.
If I Go Into A Casino And Sit Next To A Smoker Can I Sue The Casino?
Current studies are also linking the possibility that second hand smoke increases the risk of breast cancer and heart disease.
I for one am glad the employees are filing a suit. We have enough outdoor polution to worry about. It is time we had clean smoke-free indoor air.
BorisR...Boulder Station made a BUSINESS DECISION by making their poker room a smoking-allowed room. Luckily for you, many OTHER casinos have a smoke-free poker room. That means YOU have more choices than a smoker does. So why is it a problem to allow smokers a choice?
This is the issue in front of us. Free Choice. If a non-smoker chooses to play somewhere that is non-smoker friendly, and ENOUGH non-smokers did so, those casinos you left would institute a new smoking policy. Why? Economics. The fact that more casinos are NOT smoke free would indicate to anyone with some intelligence that SMOKERS spend more, therefore it would not benefit their bottom line to become smoke-free.
And to those who argue that business would not be affected, that smokers would still gamble, used the same argument about drinking. Guess what? Take a close look at the number of local bars and taverns around the country that closed when smoking bans went into effect. If you are outside smoking, you are not inside eating or drinking.
Whether you like it or not, smoking is here to stay...just like alcohol. Prohibition didn't work for that, and it won't work for smoking. And for those who use medical reports about heart attacks or cancer after smoking bans take effect, here's a question for a medical survey...what is the cost of medical care, and how many people have been injured or killed because someone who is affected by stress more couldn't light up and took it out on those around him? How many more assaults, bar fights or brawls have occurred because of the smoking ban?
You want to see higher insurance rates for smokers? I'll agree to that when they ALSO raise the rates for every overweight person, every motorcycle rider, everyone who ever drank a sip of wine, beer or hard liquor, every person who ever bought a gun, a surfboard, skiis or scuba gear. Every single one of those people did something that puts themselves and others at risk, so they should also see higher rates.
Oops...wait...that's right...they can't do that...because everyone here who complains about smokers would be affected by one of those rate increases...some of you probably affected by several of them.
Yes, it's easy to target something YOU, personally, don't like...but take note of how easy it will be to expand those restrictions into something you DO like.
By the way, thank you everyone for the tips...South Pointe and Boulder Station are friendly to smokers. Now I know where to spend my money.
When I used to smoke, there was NOTHING like a good Camel non filter smoke with a cup of coffee, sitting at my favorite slot machine. I could spend hours at this compusively puffing , drinking coffee and feeding the machine. Now I eventually realized that this activity was not healthy for my body, nor my wallet, HOWEVER I do NOT have the right to say it not OK for the next person to do as he or she feels. Remember people this is America the land of freedom and choice. If someone chooses to slowly kill his or her self then that is his or her free choice. Non smokers have the right to choose being healthy and have NO RIGHT to dictate their beliefs to others. Nuff said..
Tobacco is state sponsored death. The government makes so much in tax revenue from it they are hesitant to ban it. They do go through all the motions of appearing concerned etc. just as all politicians are prone to do. It is poison, end of story, and your government is doing it to you by allowing it. Tobacco will eventually be banned in all indoor facilities. People that smoke around children will be cited for child abuse. Tobacco users are addicts and should be treated as such,
"0" tolerance for smokers. I like my air like my water, as clean as possible.
Disdana: Your position is that of an extremist . How do you propose to apply such bans to addicted compulsive gamblers, drinkers, compulsive shoppers, sex, food addicts etc ? We do not have the right to tell someone that they have no right to practice their addictions. I'm not saying that I don't agree with your values, as I practice clean living as well . Remember what happened when the government gave into the extremist few to ban Alcohol and prohibition which followed . It gave birth to the black market, untold mafia wealth and violence and death in our city streets. Ban tobacco, and the same people or types will step up to the plate to provide it illegally with the same result. It's no surprise this is why many states are now considering legalizing and taxing pot. It sucks to be downwind from smokers, I agree, however we have to share the world with each other.