Smoking Banned in NV, Possibly AC
In Nevada, voters approved a referendum last week to squelch smoking at bars that serve food, and around the slot machines at supermarkets, gas stations and convenience stores. It had been thought leading up to the vote that smokers rights were sacrosanct in a state that derives a good chunk of its income from dealing in sin. Nevada is also the only state in the union that has legalized prostitution, albeit not in Las Vegas itself.
Though the state is best known for casinos and doling out drinks, gluttonous amounts of food and of course fine spirits and cigars, the state has been growing its population with many individuals who don’t want that kind of life foisted upon them on a daily basis.
The referendum was dubbed the Clean Indoor Air Act and passed by a relatively narrow 54 percent to 48 percent. The move should not affect tourist’s ability to smoke on the casino floor.
"Nevada has had a libertarian reputation and has tried to uphold it, but that has been slipping away for quite a while," said Michael Green, a history professor at the Community College of Southern Nevada to the Associated Press. "While we encourage people to come here and do things that are bad for them, we also have a growing baby boomer population. And that population is probably a bit more health-conscious and might not want to be exposed to secondhand smoke."
Not surprising, Nevada has the highest per capita of smoking related deaths in and around the workplace.
Now it looks as if the non smoking phenomenon is quickly spreading to Atlantic City. Earlier this week the Atlantic City Council introduced a measure to ban smoking in the workplace.
The measure passed unanimously 9-0 and now hearings will be held on two separate occasions before a final vote is held on December 29. If enacted it would be in effect one month later.
In April New Jersey enacted a smoking law that banned smoking in most places, but not in cigar bars on casino floors. This measure is in direct response to that legislation.
“It is a shame what (smokers) have done to us,” said Sharon West, employed by Bally's Park Place to the council in a voice affected by paralyzed vocal chords caused by others smoking nearby in her workplace.
The law singles out “gaming facilities” as one of 23 classes of places where smoking is illegal. It also bans smoking “in all enclosed facilities within places of employment without exception.”
The law exempts private homes, designated hotel room which are less than 20 percent of the property’s total, nursing home rooms where residents desire to smoke and private clubs.
According to the Atlantic City Press, Assemblyman Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) said the proposed ordinance “is the first step, but a very significant step.”
“I felt we have done the right thing,” Ward said. “We do the right thing and whatever happens, happens.”
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