Editorial: Negotiate smoking with Connecticut tribes

Wednesday, March 25, 2009  

"From a tribal perspective, Connecticut passing a law to force a smoking ban at the Indian-run casinos would be akin to the state legislating a smoke-free Canada.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is preparing a legal fight. It is his position that the compacts require the casinos to have public health and safety standards at least as rigorous as the state's, and that means compliance with Connecticut's 2003 secondhand smoke law.

This fight could turn ugly. If the tribes claim a breach of the compacts it could put at risk the $400 million in slot revenues the casinos send to the state annually.

If public health is indeed the priority here, the state should abandon its legislative remedy and implore the tribes and Gov. Rell to continue their discussions toward smokeless casinos. At a time when negotiations are progressing, it would be irresponsible to enact legislation that will knowingly lead to protracted litigation with unpredictable results.

On the other hand, if the tribes are sincere in acknowledging that secondhand smoke is a health hazard, they must commit, on their own terms, to provide smoke-free casinos within a reasonable period."

Get the Story:
Editorial: No Needless Tribal Fight (The New London Day 3/25)

Another Opinion:
Jefferson Harris: Tobacco, Indians Linked By History And Culture (The New London Day 3/25)