Lawmakers in Connecticut have begun holding hearings on a proposal that would extend the state ban on smoking to the two tribal casinos, Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun.
The tribes that operate the casinos, the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots, say the state doesn’t have such authority because of tribal sovereignty on the reservation.
They heard testimony, April 26,from casino employees who spoke about struggling to breathe with asthma in a smoke-filled casino environment or a floor supervisor who said employees had to deal with having smoke blown in their faces constantly.
Both tribal casinos have temporarily been smoke free due to the pandemic. Many would like that temporary ban to become permanent.
The UAW union brought several employees to speak to the Public Health Committee and Labor and Public Employees Committee
One employee declared, “If Foxwoods were to allow smoking on the gaming floor again, I would have to choose between health and my career.”
The state passed its ban on smoking in public places in 2003. Casinos have been held to be exempt. Mashantucket Pequot Chairman Rodney Baker indicated that the legislature discussing such a ban for a tribal casino is just so much blowing of smoke.
“Debating what the laws should or shouldn’t be for a sovereign territory, I contend, is no different than the legislature debating what laws you should enact for Rhode Island or New York,” he said.
Others pointed out that the UAW could bring up the issue with the tribes as part of collective bargaining negotiations. However, the UAW notes that it only has an agreement with Foxwoods and not with the Mohegan Sun.
About 90 percent of the Mohegan Sun is non-smoking and employees can request to not work in a smoking environment.
Foxwoods employee David Sherman told the Day that there are not enough smokeless dealer pits to go around. “We are exposed to toxic secondhand smoke. We are the only workers not protected in the state of Connecticut.”
