I wrote here recently about the newly enacted smoking ban in Pennsylvania, calling it toothless, ineffectual and an attempt by PA politicians to please everyone and truly accomplish nothing.
The new mandate prohibits cigarette smoking on 25 percent of the gaming floor. But after 90 days—before the end of this year—those smoking areas can be increased to 50 percent if casinos can prove that they’ve lost money due to the ban.
The legislation sounded laughable at first. This was a “ban” in name only, a sop to appease those who hate smoking, a grand gesture to make the politicians look responsible, and a half-measure that would let the casinos continue to do as they like.
Now I see the ban for what it is—a compromise.
I read in this week’s Global Gaming Business Weekly that smoking bans in France have led to a 20 percent drop in casino revenues. And NPR just reported that pubs in Great Britain are closing at the rate of 60 per month due to smoking bans. These culturally rich, historic meeting places are gone forever, along with the camaraderie that made them great, because patrons can no longer have a pint and a smoke as they have done for decades, perhaps centuries.
Here in Atlantic City, Donald Trump predicts that our 100 percent smoking ban, coming October 15, is going to be a “disaster.” I absolutely agree with him, and for the first time, I agree that revenue, jobs and opportunity will be lost because of smoking bans in adult entertainment venues.
I do not support smoking. I wish everyone in the world would quit. But I also believe in the right of adults to choose their own behavior, and to conduct themselves as they see fit.
To those who respond that casino workers should not have to work around smokers, I have to agree with others who say, folks, the bans that are ostensibly meant to help you could help you right out of a job. If smoking bans are going to cripple the industry, we should all do as Pennsylvania has done and leave room for compromise.
I have hereby exercised the prerogative of a woman to change her mind.
–Marjorie Preston
