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Canadian Casino Now Smoke-Free9 July 2001OTTOWA, Canada –– July 8, 2001 -- As reported by the Ottawa Citizen: "Non-smoking gamblers hit the jackpot yesterday when the Hull Casino announced an immediate ban on smoking at most of its tables and slot machines. "…`Many of our customers told us they don't like smoke hanging in the air,' said casino manager Michel Belley. "By making most of the existing gambling space smoke-free from yesterday, the Hull Casino got a jump on the Rideau Carleton Raceway slot-machine casino near the Ottawa Airport. "Rideau Carleton, which permits smoking at half its slot machines, is to become smoke-free on Aug. 1 under Ottawa's anti-smoking bylaw, unless opponents succeed in a legal fight to delay its implementation. The bylaw would prohibit smoking in all indoor locations to which the public has access. "…From yesterday, most smokers will be confined to the new area if they want to smoke while gambling. The only part of the old gambling area where smoking is still permitted is a room reserved for high-rollers. "…While customers can smoke at 460 slot machines, there are 1,410 machines where smoking is prohibited. Smoking is prohibited at all but about 15 of the 64 gaming tables. "Mr. Belley said he knew of no other major casino in Canada that prohibits smoking in most gambling areas. "…The Hull Casino is run by the Quebec government. There is no plan to make Quebec's two other casinos, in Montreal and Charlevoix, largely non-smoking. But Mr. Belley said the operators of those casinos are watching how the public responds to the move in Hull. "Unlike Quebec's other two casinos, most customers of the Hull Casino are from Ontario. Mr. Belley noted that only about 30 per cent of the Quebec population now smokes. He couldn't say what percentage of the casino's customers smoke..." |