Health groups back smoke-free casinos

Publication Date: 2005-02-18

• Author:John Milgrim
• Publication:Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record

Health advocates have launched a campaign to make proposed Catskill casinos smoke-free.

The American Cancer Society and other groups want a no-smoking condition added to Gov. George Pataki's bill authorizing five Catskill gambling resorts. And the state senator who represents the region is on board.

Since 2003, smoking has been banned in virtually all businesses and enclosed public places in the state. But Indian-owned facilities are considered sovereign territory and are exempt from the ban...