SMOKING IN THE CASINO

THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY SUPPOSEDLY HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL OF CONNECTICUT ON A PROPOSED PARTIAL SMOKING BAN IN THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO.

THE PLAN CALLED FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN TO HAVE UP TO TWENTY PERCENT (20%) NON-SMOKING AREAS IN THE GAMING AREA OF THE CASINO. THE CASINO'S 'S PRESENT AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM IS SAID TO BE CAPABLE OF CHANGING THE AIR IN THE GAMING AREAS AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) TIMES AN HOUR. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE IS WILLING TO UPGRADE THE SYSTEM TO AN EVEN MORE HIGH TECH SYSTEM.

CHUCK BUNNELL , CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SAID, THAT RESTAURANTS ARE SMOKE FREE ALREADY IN THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO. THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO HAS A POLICY, THAT EMPLOYEES WITH RESPIRATORY OR OTHER PHYSICAL ISSUES, ARE MOVED TO AN NON-SMOKING AREA IF THE WORKER REQUESTS IT..

BUNNELL SAID, ""WE HOLD TO OUR STRONG BELIEF AND LEGAL OPINION THAT THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS NO JURISDICTION ON TRIBAL LANDS. SOVEREIGNTY IS SOMETHING THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NEVER WAVER ON."

THE UAW (THE UNION REPRESENTING FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO DEALERS) SUPPOSEDLY WAS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, EVEN THOUGH THEY ALLEGEDLY NEVER SAW THE PROPOSAL. DENISE GLADUE, A DEALER SUPERVISOR AT FOXWOODS SAID, "IT'S OUR HEALTH THAT'S AT STAKE AND NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD US ANYTHING. WE'RE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT WE WERE IN EIGHT MONTHS AGO."

RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, CONNECTICUT ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, "I'VE BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN ADVOCATE OF A BAN, A COMPLETE BAN, IN THE PAST. AND HAVE SAID IT WOULD BE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL (FOR THE STATE TO IMPOSE IT)." HE ALSO SAID, "IF IT MEANS TO THAT END IS A SERIES OF SPECIFIC STEPS---A PARTIAL BAN LEADING TO A COMPLETE BAN --- I COULD FAVOR IT."

BLUMENTHAL LIKENED IT TO RIDING IN A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE OR EATING IN RESTRAINTS WHERE SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED. HE DID ADMIT THAT A COMPLETE SMOKING BAN ON THE CASINOS WOULD HURT THEIR BUSINESSES.

TALKING OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC STATE AT THE CONNECTICUT CASINOS, BLUMENTHAL SAID, "RIGHT NOW MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST TIME FOR A COMPLETE. BAN."

BUNNELL SAID, "THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF YOU'RE A NONSMOKER, YOU CAN NOW COME TO THE MOHEGAN SUN, ASSUME YOU'RE ENTERING THROUGH A SMOKE-FREE ENTRANCE, WALK THOUGH A SMOKE-FREE AREA, GO TO A SHOW, HAVE DINNER, ALL IN A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT."