Cherokee Casinos in North Carolina Could Remain Smoke-Free Permanently
Posted on: May 24, 2021, 10:33h.
Last updated on: May 24, 2021, 12:24h.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Valley River Casino have been smoke-free since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A proposed ordinance to amend the Cherokee Code seeks to keep their indoor air clean of tobacco smoke on a permanent basis.
![Cherokee casinos North Carolina Harrah's](https://www.casino.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/harrahscherokee-2.jpg)
A group of tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) has proposed an ordinance that would amend Chapter 16 of the Cherokee Code to prohibit all forms of indoor casino smoking.
“Tobacco and non-tobacco smoking shall be prohibited in all public indoor areas of the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Valley River Casino properties,” the ordinance states. “This section expressly prohibits smoking of tobacco, non-tobacco, and electronic cigarettes in indoor spaces of all gaming establishments of the Eastern Band.”
Lavita Hill, an EBCI tribal member and one of the ordinance’s authors, says smoke-free casinos have an easier time attracting employees. She claims workers at smoke-free casinos also use fewer sick days, health insurance premiums decline, and cleaning and maintenance costs drop.
The casino smoking ban does not seek to end smoking inside designated hotel rooms.
Revenues Strong for Non-Smoking Casinos
Backers of the proposed casino smoking prohibition claim that gross gaming revenue (GGR) has not been negatively impacted by the temporary ban on cigarettes indoors.
“Casino revenues, since going smoke-free a year ago, have not decreased. The financial experiment has already been done, and it has succeeded. People want our casinos to stay smoke-free. The financials support this decision,” said Hill, as reported by the One Feather, an online site for Cherokee news.
Commercial casinos in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland have all experienced record monthly gross gaming revenue in 2021. And each of those three states prohibited smoking inside on the casino floors when they hit their all-time GGR highs.
“Old arguments from the [gaming] industry fighting smoke-free policies no longer hold water,” declared Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR).
The ANR reports that more than 160 tribal casinos are currently banning indoor smoking. Nearly 1,100 commercial casinos are, too.
June Consideration
The permanent indoor smoking ban is expected to be considered during the Tribal Council’s session next month. Neither Tribal leaders nor officials at the two Harrah’s casino resorts commented on the ordinance proposal.
“We are not asking Tribal Council to do anything radical. We are just asking them to keep things the way they are now,” Hill explained. “We want the decision about this to be made by our Cherokee tribal leaders, not by corporate casino people in Las Vegas. We are a sovereign nation, and we should remember that.”
Along with the ordinance submission, the backers cited a 2011 study conducted by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that found that 54 percent of patrons of tribal casinos said they would “likely visit more” if the venue was smoke-free. Only 18 percent said they would visit less.
The initiative added that the tribe should do all it can to keep its casinos attractive in wake of ongoing competition.
“With new gaming threats all around the EBCI, it is imperative we try to attract as many people as possible who want to enjoy a clean and safe indoor environment at our casino resort properties,” the submission concludes.
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Last Comments ( 16 )
Thank GOD! Second hand smoke is a killer. People should NOT be subjected to other peoples’ bad health choices designating a smoke free area is like designating a corner of the pool to pee in and thinking it wont get on you. And the filth!
it is discrimination against smokers. Smokers had a small area to smoke while gambling, i never lit up in a non smoking area. Non smokers can stay in their large area where no one is smoking. Myself as well as many others will not be back. The non smokers can have it.
We visited Cherokee one time and felt discriminated against due to the crappy old machines in non smoking. We gamble frequently and not just a $20 bill. We live in Tennessee, about an 1 1/2 hours away but drive 4 hours to Ohio and beyond to spend our money. Non-smoking is the norm and has been for quite awhile. If you want to smoke, take it outside. There is no proven system that gets smoke out of a casino. I used to smoke for many years and always smoked outside and was respectful of others. If Cherokee permanently goes non smoking, you will see us there a couple of times a month minimum but we will not stay at a hotel that allows smoking so you will lose our business there
You need a smoking section. Everyone can stay in their own corners and stop complaining. We used to go to Cherokee frequently, but with no smoking may as well stay in Charlotte and save the time and gas. We have gone to Harpers Ferry, Gulf Coast and Atlantic City when we feel like traveling, but Cherokee used to be a spur of the moment trip. I do not want to be discriminated against for my habits. Gambling and drinking just as bad vices as smoking.
Love it smoke free! Having a smoke free area and a smoking area in a casino is like having a piss/no piss in the same swimming pool!
Do guests have to show proof that they have been fully vaccinated? I have cancer so my immune system is compromised. I don't trust people who are maskless, making us think that they are safe to be around.
Absolutely Great that the casino is Smoke free!! I certainly will be enjoying & going more w this new policy.. thanks so much Harrahs!!
What is current smoking policy at Harrahs Cherokee casino?
I don't smoke cigarettes, But I enjoy a cigar when I'm playing slots or at a table. The solution is easy , just as was done when nonsmoking became popular back in the 90's, they can easily separate smoking/nonsmoking sections. That is a proven and tried solution that works and being intentionally ignored. Then people will have the Freedom of choice and assume responsibility for themselves. There is a lot more I could say but I don't think the anti smoking League of Dictating is going to be swayed by true facts and real History .
PLEASE make all casinos non-smoking!!
I love non smoking casino. Smoking is very, very bad for health. Stay safe and healthy.
Smoking is bad for health.We need to stay healthy. We come to casino to enjoy a clean and safe indoor environment.
Non smoking is a blessing for everyone. Smokers can take their addiction outside and stop forcing it on the rest of us.
Smoking, drinking, and gambling go together. Bring back a smoking section and the non smokers can stay in their section. Sick of all the wining, crying and discrimination.
THANK YOU!!!!!!