Health Effects:

1. Casino workers are at greater risk for lung and heart disease because of secondhand smoke exposure.  [1]
   
2. Casino workers in a “well-ventilated” casino had cotinine (metabolized nicotine) levels 300-600% higher than in other smoking workplaces during a work shift. [2]
   
3. Smoke-filled casinos have up to 50 times more cancer-causing particles in the air than highways and city streets clogged with diesel trucks in rush hour traffic. [3]
   
4. 100% smoke-free workplace policies are the only effective way to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace. [4]
   

Exemptions for Tribal Sovereignty do not apply:

1. According to the Compact, signed by the Tribal Nations, they agree to sell liquor pursuant to state liquor laws.
2. Both casinos located in Connecticut have state issued liquor licenses specifically for use in casinos per CGS 30-37k.
3. This proposal simply includes the casino liquor permit in the smoking ban legislation CGS19a-342 (Formerly Sec. 1-21b), along with other establishments currently covered under the state’s smoking ban.

1. According to the California Board of Equalization, California’s bars, casinos and gambling clubs continue to profit since going smoke-free in January 1998.  [5]
   
2. According to Tobacco Control, smoke-free laws have no effect on total gambling revenues or on the average revenue per machine  [6]
   
3. The Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law has not adversely affected keno sales since it went into effect on July 5, 2004. Net keno sales have increased approximately $121,000 per year since 2000.  [7]
   
4. Tobacco Control also reports that smoke-free laws do not adversely affect charitable bingo profits.  [8]
   
5. There is a trend towards non-smoking casino’s.  The Governor’s proposal for 3 casinos in Massachusetts include the requirement that they will be non-smoking.
6. Five Tribal Nations have voluntarily made their casinos 100% smoke-free.

NEW YORK CITY:

1. The New York City Department of Finance also reported that a Zogby poll found that a majority of customers reported that the smoking restrictions would have no impact on their patronage of restaurants and bars.  The number of patrons who said their patronage would decrease was less than the number of customers who said they would frequent these establishments more often because of the smoke-free laws.
2. A 2004 study by the New York City Department of Finance measured four economic indicators: sales tax receipts, revenues, employment and the number of licenses issued.  The study researched the time periods immediately before and after the laws took effect. 
3. Increases were reported in all four areas.  [9]
   

1. The Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law has not adversely affected keno sales since it went into effect on July 5, 2004; in fact, net keno sales have increased.  [10]
   
2. The Governor’s proposal for 3 casinos in Massachusetts include the requirement that they will be non-smoking.

1. Atlantic City officials enacted a city ordinance in February 2007 making city casinos 75% smoke free.
2. The New Jersey state legislature has legislation pending to include all casinos in the state smoking ban.

1. Deleware’s Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect November 2002.  It prohibits smoking in virtually all indoor public places, including restaurants, bars, casinos, bowling alleys, pool halls, racetracks and 75% of hotel rooms.
2. [Before its passage], some predicted that the Clean Indoor Air Act would hurt the bottom line of businesses.  Conversely, there are more restaurants and bars licensed in Deleware now [2006] than when the Act went into effect.  Delaware’s three slot machine casinos have all experienced their highest revenue periods in the last two years.  [11]
   

1. Analyzing tax revenue from 1990 to 2002 found that the 1995 smoke-free restaurant law was associated with an increase in revenues.  [12]
   
2. The 1998 smoke-free bar law was also associated with an increase in revenues.  [13]
   
3. Also according to the California Board of Equalization, California’s bars, casinos and gambling clubs continue to profit since going smoke-free in January 1998.  [14]
4. A study of California patrons following enactment of the smoke-free bars law found more customers reported they were “just as likely” or “more likely” to visit a bar that was smoke-free – an increase from 86% to 91% over two years.  [15]