As Memorial Day approaches, the Park MGM casino on the Las Vegas Strip stands out for its smoke-free environment, a policy that has attracted both casual visitors and dedicated patrons alike.
Chris Nelson, a former smoker from Wyoming, was pleasantly surprised by the absence of cigarette smoke, stating, “A smoking ban? Cool! I quit four years ago.”
He and others remain unaware that Park MGM became the Strip’s only smoke-free casino back in 2020, a move that appears to resonate with a growing number of travelers who prioritize a smoke-free atmosphere.
This evolving preference comes at a time when public health policies and societal attitudes towards smoking are shifting dramatically.
An analysis by the American Lung Association highlights a significant decline in regular cigarette smokers in the U.S., dropping from 42.6% in 1966 to just 11.6% in 2022.
Coupled with data from a recent poll conducted by the Nevada Tobacco Control and Smoke-Free Coalition, it reveals that over two-thirds of 800 registered Nevada voters support smoke-free policies in casinos, indicating a significant change in public sentiment.
Despite these trends, many of Nevada’s casinos remain resistant to eliminating smoking, maintaining an exemption from Nevada’s broader smoking ban in public places that has existed for nearly two decades.
Shareholder proposals from organizations like the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation (ANRF) signal an emerging dialogue on the potential benefits of smoke-free policies.
Following findings showing a majority of voters favoring smoke-free casinos, shareholder groups have gained traction in voicing their opinions, with proposals submitted to major gaming companies such as Boyd Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Penn Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts.
Though efforts to block these proposals were made by all but Penn, the Securities and Exchange Commission ruled in favor of allowing them on the ballot for 2025.
Recent shareholder votes have indicated dissent within the ranks—8.6% of Wynn shareholders voted to investigate the potential cost savings of smoke-free policies, followed by 11% of Boyd shareholders.
Caesars and Penn are set to hold similar votes in mid-June, but optimism prevails among advocates like ANRF advocacy director Bronson Frick, who believes that sustained shareholder interest suggests a trend that can’t be ignored.
Frick states, “I think it’s the beginning of a process.
These votes tell us that, even when companies oppose the measure, a significant percentage of investors are sending a signal that this issue is on their radar.”
Industry experts Like Anthony Lucas, a professor at UNLV, regard the casino sector as too “risk-averse” regarding a transition to smoke-free environments without external pressure.
Lucas points out that casinos are often perceived as the last safe haven for indoor smoking and argues that gaming revenues are deeply tied to smoking habits.
However, evidence from studies conducted by C3 Gaming in Las Vegas contradicts fears of heavy financial losses.
Their findings suggest that adopting smoke-free policies will not cause a dramatic drop in gaming revenue, and that non-smoking casinos are showing better performance overall.
This aligns with a study led by UNLV graduate Sojeong Lee that analyzed a smoking ban at South Korea’s Kangwon Land casino, revealing no negative impact on gaming volume.
UNLV professor Ashok Singh, who assisted with Lee’s research, speculated that smoke-free casinos could even reduce operational costs associated with ventilation and employee health coverage.
The reluctance of Nevada casinos to seriously consider the financial benefits of smoke-free environments leaves many puzzled, especially when such studies could be conducted with minimal investment.
The Culinary Union, representing over 60,000 members, has voiced its commitment to prioritizing worker safety and advocates for the smoke-free policy at Park MGM—where a substantial portion of its membership is employed.
Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge acknowledges mixed feelings among union members regarding smoking policies but underscores ongoing negotiations for better ventilation systems.
Despite the CDC’s stance that simply isolating smokers or improving ventilation cannot fully protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke, some casino resorts have opted for a compromise approach with designated non-smoking sections.
Frick and Lucas argue that tribal casinos, which have implemented smoke-free policies post-COVID, demonstrate minimal to no declines in revenue, suggesting a paradigm shift in player preferences.
Frick comments on the missed opportunity to gauge employee and customer sentiments regarding smoking, which could better inform business decisions going forward.
Lucas remains optimistic, suggesting that social pressures will eventually force casinos to adopt smoke-free environments—benefiting not only public health but the industry’s bottom line as well.
He concludes, “I do think social pressures are going to force it at some point.
When it does happen, the bottom line is I think they’re going to be OK.”
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