Jan 15, 2009 7:04 am US/Central
New Push To Stamp Out Smoking At Indiana Casinos
Report Shows High Indoor Air Pollution
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Post-Tribune) ―
Indiana's 11 casinos have high levels of indoor air pollution caused by cigarette smoke, researchers said Tuesday.
The Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air released the Purdue University study to bolster its push for a smoking ban in public places.
The average level of indoor air pollution at the 11 sites was nearly five times higher than the limit considered healthy by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to Purdue professor Neil Zimmerman.
Casino air was about 14 times dirtier than outdoor air near the gambling centers, Zimmerman said.
The air on average was dirtier than EPA limits even in nonsmoking areas within casinos, Zimmerman said.
State Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary) has again introduced a bill that would institute a comprehensive smoking ban in all public places.
Brown said he would be hard-pressed to agree to a ban that would exempt casinos or bars from the ban.
"I would only consider it at such time that it came to that," Brown said. "They would have to make a better case than 'It's going to hurt us financially.' "
But Brown acknowledged lobbyists representing hospitality industries like restaurants, casinos and bars will fight hard to prevent passage of the bill, as will legislators representing tobacco-growing areas in southern Indiana.
And Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he prefers letting residents control their smoking ordinances locally.
Larry Buck, general manager of the Majestic Star casinos in Gary, said it's clear revenue suffers at casinos that outlaw smoking.
The financial repercussions of such a move would likely be especially pronounced in Northwest Indiana casinos, Buck said, because so many people now come from Illinois to escape the smoking prohibition there.
"For whatever reason, that 'drinking-gambling-smoking' thing is something people come here for," Buck said.
And the recession is driving down casino receipts, he said.
"Adding any further pressures right now would be especially damaging," Buck said.
(CBS 2 and the Post-Tribune are news partners covering stories in the communities of northwest Indiana. Send story tips to tips@cbs2chicago.com. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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