New smoking laws start tomorrow

I don't want to start a debate about this, jsut wanted everyone to be aware.

9news.com:
DENVER - The casinos of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek are doing last-minute preparations Monday but it has nothing to do with New Year's Eve.

Starting Tuesday, all of the casinos will be smoke-free. Each casino is now required to comply with the amended state law banning casino smoking as of January 1, 2008. The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act banned smoking in restaurants and taverns throughout the state in 2006.

The casinos each came up with different plans but have focused on complying fully with the law and providing a safe and comfortable alternative for the 30 to 50 percent of patrons who smoke to still be able to light up outside the buildings.

Specifically, Black Hawk casinos have spent between $3 and $5 million on outdoor smoking patios and balconies, portable heaters among other things to meet the law requirements, according to Joanne Lah, executive director of Black Hawk Central City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Lah says other cities where casino smoking bans have gone into effect have led to a drop-off in gaming and tax revenues.

I did quit smoking myself back in august and it is great and all but I still think these smoking bans are illegal. Honestly is it not the buisiness owners choice? If you want a no smoking casino build one, don't put the rest of us out in the cold.

I agree....why send the smokers out to the cold. Gambling, drinking, and smoking all go hand in hand.

the fact still remains that you really have no right to put everyone else's health in jeopardy....these laws are way overdue...

if people want to smoke in the privacy of their homes, cars, etc...by all means feel free.....but it should be illegal in any indoor public place in my opinion.

From 9news.com:

Casino revenue falls in wake of smoking ban

DENVER (AP) - Revenue dipped about 3-and-a-half percent in the first month that a smoking ban was in effect at mountain casinos.

Industry officials told The Denver Post in Wednesday's editions that other factors such as heavy snowfall also may have had an effect on January business.

The casinos reported about 57 million dollars in adjusted gross proceeds for January. That compares with nearly 59 million dollars in January 2007.

Joe Behm of Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino in Central City says it will take five to six months to calculate the full impact of the smoking ban.

The industry believes at least 30 percent of casino patrons smoke.

I underlined the part I found funny. The smoking ban has an effect, or it could be the snow.

I also think it's funny that the 30% who smoke only changed the profit margin by 3%. I guess those chain-smoking little old ladies didn't contribute as much as originally thought.