Smoking in Casinos As Much a Right of Freedom As Gambling
Online Casino Advisory has taken the position that smokers deserve the same libertarian rights that gamblers do. Now, news from across the country shows that in a more practical and less philosophical sense, smoking bans have become problematic.
First, the Las Vegas Review-Journal pointed out in a recent editorial the revenue lost to casinos as smoking bans have been imposed. In Illinois, for instance, income is off by better than ten percent since casinos were forced into a no-smoking policy.
The Review-Journal wrote worriedly about a possible extension of Nevada's anti-smoking laws to include casinos, which are now currently exempt. Reference was made to the lack of enforcement at many establishments of the existing parameters, leaving more visible venues to suffer the brunt of the law.
And a loud recommendation to reject the status of a "nanny-state" came from the paper, asking that citizens be treated as adults and allowed to make their own decisions.
Yesterday, Michigan legislators narrowly defeated yet another smoking ban, in large part because of expected results in gaming revenue losses. While some lawmakers realized the import of government instructing citizens how to act, the law would have passed if not for the potential effect on Michigan tax coffers.
Tribal casinos in the state would suffer no such ban, and would draw large numbers of patrons put off by smoking laws affecting Detroit casinos. So, legislators would pass a ban that infringed on freedom and liberty, but balk when the budget that feeds their pet projects might drop.
Gamblers should support smoking rights, as smokers should gambling rights. The idea is not to only support behavior in which you partake, but the right to choose behaviors, regardless of any other individual's reference. This is the Jeffersonian thought behind the Constitution, and should be made clear to a few more politicians.
