"Citing what she calls "pretty egregious impacts" of cigarette smoke to the health of Native American women and youth, Gov. Christine Gregoire has quietly asked the state's Indian tribes to turn their casinos into tobacco-free zones.

The governor's request was received respectfully at a dinner she held for Indian leaders in Olympia last month. They promised to take it up with tribal governments.

"It is on the agenda," said W. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and president of the Washington Indian Gaming Association."

Get the Story:
Joel Connelly: Tribes are asked to end casino smoking (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 12/9)