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Nevada Bill Would Mandate Nonsmoking Rules in Casinos2 March 2001CARSON CITY, Nevada – March 2, 2001 – As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “Health officials and anti-smoking groups squared off with the gaming industry Thursday over a bill that would mandate creation of nonsmoking sections in casino gambling areas for employees and customers. ”…Larry Matheis, executive director of the Nevada State Medical Association, said Nevada is known nationally for poor health policies on tobacco use. He urged lawmakers to use Assembly Bill 159 by Bob Price, D-North Las Vegas, to craft a policy dealing with the issue of second-hand tobacco smoke. ”…But Harvey Whittemore, a Reno attorney and lobbyist representing the Nevada Resort Association and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., said adults make the choice to visit a casino where smoking is allowed. ”…Whittemore said the casino is interested in the health and welfare of its employees and visitors. But any suggestion that the industry is exposing itself to lawsuits by allowing smoking is contradicted by years of Nevada legal rulings, he said. ”…Under state law, smoking is banned in public buildings, buses, lobbies, doctors' offices, grocery stores and day care centers. Restaurants with more than 50 seats must offer nonsmoking sections. The law also states that a business deriving more than 50 percent of its gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages or from gaming operations may be designated as a smoking area in its entirety by the operator of the business.” |