There’s been talk of about efforts to ban smoking in casinos in Las Vegas and across the country. After decades without any success, now there are renewed discussions in Nevada and around America about putting an end to casino smoking in Las Vegas and beyond!
There’s been lots of talk about about a new ban smoking in casinos in Las Vegas and across the nation, but now that talk is turning into action. Forty-five states now have comprehensive or partial smoking bans, but several of those states also have exemptions to those bans for bars, strip clubs, and casinos, and one of those states is Nevada. To be fair, other big gambling states also have carve outs for smoking at their casinos, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and many more. But, recently, there’s been a renewed push from players and workers in Las Vegas and across the country to close those loopholes and put an end to lighting up in casinos.
First, in Nevada, there have been multiple attempts over several years to ban smoking in casinos altogether. But, they never seem to make it very far. Less than a year ago, shareholders at Caesars, Bally’s, Boyd, and other gaming companies voted overwhelmingly against efforts to ban smoking on their gaming floors even though 60 percent of state residents support such a ban. And companies like MGM, Wynn, Sands, and others have spent money to aggressively oppose smoking bans despite health concerns and push back from employees, but the companies had their reasons. First, while less than 12 percent of people in America smoke, that number jumps to more than 20 percent for casino players in Vegas.
Companies fear that a ban would send those players walking away from games every half an hour for a smoke break or worse yet walking away to other casinos without a smoking ban. Casinos would love to serve smoking and non smoking players at the same time, which has led properties to create designated smoking areas, or designated smoke free areas, but a comprehensive shift toward a smoke free environment across Las Vegas has not occurred, and it probably won’t. While Nevada and some states seem perfectly happy letting customers puff away while they play, legislators in other states are starting to think differently. A new bill in New Jersey would remove the smoking exemption for Atlantic City casinos, and has the approval of the governor, who will sign the bill if it passes this year.
In Pennsylvania, a state representative will reintroduce legislation soon to ban smoking in casinos with assistance from the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation. Meanwhile, in Iowa, a new bill supported by the American Lung Association would eliminate the smoking exemption for casino floors and a subcommittee there has already recommended its passage.Then, last month, Rhode Island rolled out legislation to repeal their smoking ban exemption for casinos, and if passed, it would eliminate casino smoking there by July 1st of this year. Also, Kansas and Missouri are both pushing new legislation to end smoking at state casinos with help from the Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects Coalition. And in states like Michigan and New Mexico, some casinos have already started transitioning to a smoke free environment voluntarily amid ongoing debate about whether to pass an outright ban.
Now, I do not consider myself a smoker per se, although I do vape from home, and I occasionally enjoy the odd cigar. Smoke doesn’t really bother me, although I do understand the objections. But whether you’re a smoker or not, Las Vegas has options. If you smoke, please note that while resorts like Caesars and Wynn allow smoking on their casino floors and in some of their rooms, the activity is restricted to certain rooms and certain suites on specific floors. But those are getting hard to find. Many resorts no longer list smoking rooms on their websites, if they have them, and you may need to contact the property directly to request one. If you’re not a smoker, understand that resorts like MGM Grand and Bellagio do not allow smoking in their rooms at any time.
However, you will still have to deal with smoke on the casino floor. So, if you’d like to have a completely smoke free experience, you really have just one choice. The Park MGM. Now, understand that this is a complex issue involving politics, competitive markets, and health concerns. And hey, we didn’t even talk about the correlations between smoking and gambling or the sovereignty of tribal casinos. Smoking opponents will argue about the risk to players and employees. While supporters will cite new ventilation technology and economic impact. And while most of America seems ready to leave smoking in the past, most Las Vegas resorts seem reluctant to pass a complete ban smoking in casinos. So, that’s where we are on this issue. Thank you so much for watching. Be sure you check out more of our content. Drop us a like and smash that subscribe button.
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