Thursday, March 13, 2008

This just in from Hartford.....

Connecticut can legally extend the smoking ban to the state's two tribally owned casinos, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said this afternoon in an opinion.

In an eight-page opinion, he said the sovereignty of the Mashantucket Pequots, who own and operate Foxwoods Resort Casino, and the Mohegans, who own and operate Mohegan Sun, will not be affected since the tribes have already agreed in compacts with the state "to adopt public health standards at least as rigorours as the State's public health laws."

Blumenthal said the tribes' non-compliance with a smoking ban in all areas of the casino governed by Connecticut liquor licenses could lead the state to revoke the permits.

But, in his eight-page opinion, he urged all groups to discuss the issue, rather than rely on legislation.

"As a matter of comity and respect, we suggest that the Tribes and the State seek an agreement to implement the ban — thereby advancing the health interests of tribal and non-tribal patrons and employees of the casinos alike, without the need for enforcement litigation," Blumenthal wrote.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This whole issue is a CROCK. Cigarets are a legal substance. People have a God given right to smoke if they choose. People that do not smoke have a God given right to stay away.The State should NOT have the right to tell a person how to run his business. Prehaps to Implement equal non smoking areas,but not Ban it all together.THIS IS AMERICA not RUSSA.
How long will it be before its baned within our own homes. This whole thing has signs of a dictatorship and needs to be stoped.
You want to stop smokeing? Make cigerettes iligal then. I dare the Government! By the way I am a non smoker.