"Atlantic City has done it, and with any gumption, Connecticut could be next.

Local legislators in Atlantic City voted last week to outlaw smoking on gaming floors at the New Jersey seaside resort's 11 casinos.

The unanimous decision was met by more than a minute-long standing ovation by casino workers and clean-air advocates who chanted“thank you, thank you,” over and over.

Now, it's time for Connecticut to do the same thing at its two tribally owned casinos.

The Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes have said they are ready and willing to discuss extending the state's indoor smoking ban to their gaming floors as long as the talks to make it happen occur directly between tribal leaders and Gov. M. Jodi Rell's office.

Because they are recognized by the state and federal government as sovereign nations, the tribes believe any effort to exert state regulations to reservation properties should be negotiated government-to-government. And while Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has said it is his belief that the state could legally mandate the ban at the Native American casinos, he is sure such action would trigger prolonged and expensive litigation. So he recommended talking.

So why not do that? Why not let the governor talk to the tribes and try to amicably eliminate secondhand smoke at the casinos? They're willing to talk. She's willing to talk. And her negotiating hand will be strengthened by news of the ban in Atlantic City."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Let Them Talk (The New London Day 4/28)
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