Indian Gaming > Montana tribes weigh smoking policy at casinos

October 19, 2009

Montana tribes weigh smoking policy at casinos

At least one tribe in Montana is promoting its casino as smoker friendly now that the state's smoking ban has gone into effect.

Smokers can still light up at the casino owned by the Chippewa Cree Tribe. "I have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along," Northern Winz Casino general manager Jason Belcourt told The Great Falls Tribune.

The Blackfeet Nation and the Fort Belknap Tribes also allow smoking at their casinos. Some health advocates would like to see that change.

"We're hoping they all will pass the same type of policy as the Clean Indoor Air Act. Obviously, it's the best thing to do to protect people from secondhand tobacco smoke, but it may take some time," Linda Lee, head of the MontanaTobacco Use Prevention Project, told the paper.

The Montana Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect earlier this month.

Get the Story:
Continued smoking in reservation bars, casinos boosts business, raises questions (The Great Falls Tribune 10/18)