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Thanks to local and state laws secondhand smoke is no longer an issue for most Americans. Unfortunately, Las Vegas is still in the midst of the debates. Nevada has protected its casinos from smoking bans and changes to legislation most likely won’t be coming any time soon. Statistics show that many gamblers smoke and casino operators believe that smoking is overall good for the industry. It attracts more customers in and helps to bring in revenues. Other areas that have toyed with a smoking ban in their casinos have already experience a downfall in patronage as a result. This is why Las Vegas is fighting so hard against the smoking ban.

The state Legislature doesn’t want to ban casino floors of smokers because it doesn’t want to risk the loss of gaming revenue or make the gambling industry angry. Even casino workers who are sick of smoking are not in favor of the ban. They believe their livelihoods depend on the revenue of gamblers who smoke. This isn’t to say that nothing is being done to minimize the effects of smoking in casinos. Some Vegas resorts have already upgraded, spending millions of dollars, on high-tech air-filtration systems. It makes the casino considerably less smoky, but without a ban on smoking. Despite the change, job applicants in the city are made aware while applying that they will be working in a smoke laden environment. Workers who are already employed in a Las Vegas casino rarely complain about the smoke. In today’s economy most workers believe that they’d rather have a job then complain about a work situation and risk losing their jobs. With the unemployment rate as high as it is, it’s imperative that businesses maximize their market base and customer list.

The legislators, state courts and employers are all pitting themselves against floor workers who are against smoking. Of course the workers have the Environmental Protection Agency on their side due to the agency’s deeming smoking as a cancer-causing substance that leads directly or indirectly to lung cancer deaths. A federal study done late 2009 found that are toxins linked to second hand smoke. This is a major part of the push to remove smoke from Las Vegas casinos.

Who would have though the question of smoking would meet up with gambling? First of all there is the smoking issue. Many people believe that smoking is a contributor to the rate of lung cancer and smoke-related illnesses. They also believe that smoking inhibits the breathing capabilities of those around smokers. Second-hand smoke has been a huge argument throughout the past decade or so and a lot of the push to eliminate smoking revolves around second-hand smokers. 

So where does gambling come into the mix? Casinos. The latest issue has started in the state of Michigan. Lawmakers are saying that second-hand smoke should be banned, but not in the state’s casinos. The decision was a compromise legislators made and will most likely be signed off on by the Governor within the next few weeks. The argument is under a lot of criticism since legislators seem to have completely opposing beliefs when it comes to non-casino public areas. 

Banning smoking in all areas except casinos is a bold move by legislators. Smoking is still allowed on the gaming floor, although it won’t be allowed in bars and restaurants. Republicans are trying to support their position that if smoking is considered to be illegal, then it should be illegal in all areas. This new smoking ban makes Michigan the 38^th state to try to ban smoking. Legislators have become more and more aware of the difficulties of this smoking issue. Employees are a focus of the concerns legislators have and they say that workers at casinos should not be exposed to smoking for the durations of their shifts. 

Casinos have worked to find exemptions from the ban. They want their customers to be allowed to smoke. Traditionally, a good portion of smokers visit casinos for gambling fun and casinos don’t want to lose that market, or any portion of it. They want to build a refuge for smokers. Other cities are reporting that when their areas banned smoking, there was a marked decline in customers and in turn, revenues. Michigan casinos know that their revenues are threatened if they are forced to ban smoking. They want to avoid that at all costs due to their numbers already being down due to the recession. Losing more money, could put them in such difficult positions they won’t be able to sustain themselves.

`Secondhand smoke has produced many arguments over the years. Some believe that it is an important factor contributing to cancer and other smoke-related illnesses. They believe that secondhand smoke may be more detrimental than smoking due to the lack of a filter.  A lot of people have deemed the notion illogical and opposing sides keep on facing off against each other for reasonable compromises. The realty is that it’s a deep-seeded debate and it will take time to get through and find a solution. 

The latest take on the issue has come from the state of Michigan. Michigan lawmakers are stating that according to a new compromised law, that secondhand smoke is dangerous in all places in Michigan except for on Detroit casino floors. The compromise that was reached this week by lawmakers and it is expected to be signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm. 

The new ban is applicable to public places and has one exception—Detroit-area casinos. Smoking will not be allowed at casino bars or restaurants but lobbyists are strong enough to keep the smoking legal on gaming floors. Although Republicans did not agree with the exception, the ban was found to exclude gaming floors. Republicans are trying to support their stance that if smoking is illegal, it should be illegal in all areas of public attendance—and that includes casino floors. This new smoking ban makes Michigan the 38^th state to try to ban smoking. The state has become more and more aware of sensitivities to smoking and secondhand smoke. Employees are a focus of the concerns legislators have, citing that they are expected to be around smoke all day long during their shifts. Casinos have lobbied hard to be exempt from smoking bans. They know that smoking is one of the draws of casinos—they are one of the few places where smokers can still be free to light up. They want the draw and to be a haven for smokers. 
Some areas like Las Vegas and Atlantic City are blaming smoking bans for a decline in revenues. They are stating that due to the changes in legislation, smokers are opting out of gambling. It was their one safe “haven” where they could smoke and now that legislators are taking it away from them, they are choosing not to patronize casinos.