The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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August 28, 2010

Your View: State smoking ban should be extended to casinos

Rob Swart, Mankato

Now that the indoor smoking ban in Minnesota has shown the dire economic consequences it would bring were just a hoax, spread by addicts not wanting to quit. It is time for the last legal loophole to close.

Casinos in Minnesota may be exempt from the law, but moral rectitude should prevail to bring them into compliance. Mystic Lake should be the first one to ban smoking. The economic conditions of its members have improved dramatically and is stable enough to weather any fears a ban might bring. When it succeeds, the other casinos would follow along.

The health of Minnesota residents is important. I lost my mom five years ago to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. So it’s personal. She loved to play the slots. Her last few years, she could not tolerate cigarette smoke. A trip to a casino could make her ill.

Morally a smoking ban should be an easy decision. Politically, it gets a little murky. The support for exclusive gambling rights could evaporate over time if supporters of smoking bans get frustrated with noncompliance at Minnesota casinos.

Competition would have to follow the ban. The success in Minnesota bars and restaurants should be the catalyst for its adoption by Mystic Lake and our other casinos.

There are far more non-smokers than addicts, we like to gamble, too.

 

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