Editorial: Ban smoking at tribal casinos in Florida

Thursday, July 9, 2009  

"New state legislation calls for non-smoking zones in any new facilities at Seminole Tribe casinos.

That’s nice, but Jai-Alai frontons and cardrooms, including the one in Fort Pierce, are totally smoke-free. What’s good for Treasure Coast bettors, ought to be good enough for everyone else.

Senate Bill 788 takes a tentative step toward clearing the air at Seminole casinos by declaring, “The Tribe and the state recognize that opportunities to engage in gaming in smoke-free or reduced-smoke environments provide both health and other benefits to patrons.”

Obviously, the Seminoles want to avoid the expense of retrofitting, but the state has a stake in this, too. Florida spends an estimated $1.25 billion a year in medical costs related to smoking. That figure doesn’t account for the loss of productivity — something that gambling surely exacerbates by fostering a something-for-nothing mentality.

Though first- and second-hand smoke is a demonstrable health risk, the Seminoles are conflicted. The tribe operates profitable tobacco shops near their casinos, and, legally speaking, the Seminoles can pretty much do whatever they want at their casinos, which are on tribal land.

But at least the Seminoles are willing to do something about smoking. South Florida’s Miccosukees have steadfastly refused to accommodate poker dealers who petitioned for a smoke-free workplace at that tribe’s Miami casino."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Stamp out casino smoke at Florida tribal operations (The Palm Beach Post 7/8)