The health department in Tacoma-Pierce County has cited the Puyallup Tribe twice for allegedly violating the state of Washington's smoking ban at the Emerald Queen Casino.

The department says the tribe agreed to abide by all local health and safety ordinances in a casino agreement signed with the city of Fife. But the tribe says state laws can't be enforced on tribally-owned land, even if the property in question is not yet held in trust.

The state attorney general has been asked to issue an opinion on the matter. A spokesperson said it's not clear that the smoking ban, passed by a voters last November, can be enforced on Indian land.

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Smoking ban hazy at casino (The Tacoma News-Tribune 2/26)
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