Gaming News

Smoking Ban Will Help Curb Gamblers' Appetites: Study

SASKATCHEWAN, Canada -- As reported by the StarPhoenix: ``A crackdown on one vice will affect another when Saskatoon's smoking control bylaw comes into effect, predicts the co-author of a 2002 study on gambling in Saskatchewan.

```All of our research shows a correlation between problem gambling and smoking,' said Edmonton-based consultant Harold Wynne. Restricting gamblers from smoking while plugging video lottery terminals and playing bingo will at least prompt addicts to take a break from gambling, he said.

``Encouraging breaks is significant enough that VLTs in Alberta and Nova Scotia are equipped with "safe" features like clocks to keep track of time and pop-up messages to remind gamblers how long they've been playing, Wynne said.

```In a peculiar way, problem gamblers might spend less time gambling if they're outside smoking.'

``…City council is expected to vote Feb. 9 on a bylaw that bans smoking in all enclosed public places, such as restaurants and bars and their patios, as well as private clubs…"

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