LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Suing casinos would do more harm than good

Marte Jones, Las Vegas

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 | 2:03 a.m.

Let’s not get carried away with lawsuits against casinos. The dangers of secondhand smoke have been known for a long time — at least 30 years. Anyone taking a job in a casino knows, or knew, there would be smoke in the workplace. If smoke is a problem for dealers, or anyone else, they should have sought a job elsewhere.

Years ago I wanted to work in the coal mines, but I realized the hazards of coal dust and cave-ins, and I’m not crazy about confined areas, so I looked elsewhere for work.

The last thing we need to do is hurt our Las Vegas economy any more than it has been. We all know that if casinos lose business, it trickles down and we’re all affected.

I’ve lived in Las Vegas 20 years, and I’m a former smoker. Secondhand smoke can be offensive to me as well. It’s a complicated situation, but I can see both sides of the issue now.

Working together to solve problem seems like a better course of action than seeking a class action lawsuit against our No. 1 industry.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By StanG

10/24/09 at 3:26 a.m.

Suggest removal

Years ago you wanted to work in the coal mines?????? Where? and more to the point, why?
Many years ago, before unions, American workers worked in sweat shops. Many as young as 12 and 13 in those coal mines. A garment building burned down with the women trapped inside. They couldn't get out because the managers locked them in so they couldn't leave early. I suppose you could make the case that those children "wanted" to work in the coal mines and that those women "wanted" to work in those sweat shops. But perhaps you should first look up the difference between "want" and "need".
By jlb101

10/24/09 at 7:43 a.m.

Suggest removal

Unions have outlived their usefulness. No one should be forced against their will to join a union nor pay dues as a condition of employment.
By POWERPLAY

10/24/09 at 8:03 a.m.

Suggest removal

Hey StanG: You sue happy liberal do try to stay on topic! That garment building fire happened in New York City 100 years ago. What dos that have to do with whats going on today with second hand smoke in casinos in 2009. Whining against capitalism as usual right' Thats you StanG.
By StanG

10/24/09 at 12:15 p.m.

Suggest removal

PowerPlay: I Refuse To Have A Battle Of Wits
With An Unarmed Person.
By odog

10/25/09 at 1:43 a.m.

Suggest removal

stang

I have not smoked in 30 yrs. At the time that I stopped, I was smoking 4 packs a day. I go to most of the casinos monthly to vsit my friends that work there. They all knew about the smoke before thay applied for the jobs, as did everyone else. Since none of them invested in the construction of the casinos, they have no say in the smoking situation. If they don't like the smoking environment, they should quit and seek employment elsewhere. The last time I checked, this is a free county.

People die of lung cancer that have never smoked or been arounI have not smoked in 30 yrs. At the time that I stopped, I was smoking 4 packs a day. I go to most of the casinos monthly to visit my friends that work there. They all knew about the smoke before they applied for the jobs, as did everyone else. Since none of them invested in the construction of the casinos, they have no say in the smoking situation. If they don't like the smoking environment, they should quit and seek employment elsewhere. The last time I checked, this is a free county.

People die of lung cancer that have never smoked or been around smokers. Almost all of my family smokes or has smoked. Not one of my relatives has had lung cancer. I also have never seen second hand smoke listed as the cause of death on any death certificates.
d smokers. Almost all of my family smokes or has smoked. Not one of my relatives has had lung cancer. I also have never seen second hand smoke listed as the cause of death on any death certificates.