"Workers at Foxwoods Resort Casino have a legitimate beef about the second-hand smoke they breathe at work, but their Tuesday assault on Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Mohegan Tribe was off target.

They need to aim their verbal fire at their employer, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Despite receiving an invitation, the tribe did not participate in talks with the governor regarding the desire of employees to work in a smoke-free environment.

The Mohegan Tribe pushed for the talks that led to an agreement, not yet released, between Gov. Rell and the Mohegans. The deal reportedly bans smoking in all non-gaming areas at Mohegan Sun, with the exception of its bars and much of the gaming floor. The amount of smoke-free gambling space doubles, to about 20 percent.

The tribe is also using cutting-edge ventilation systems, including “air curtains” at gaming tables that blow smoke away from dealers and customers and up to ceiling “handlers.”

The compromises appear to be reasonable steps toward an eventual smoking ban."

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Editorial: Mohegans not blowing smoke (The New London Day 1/9)