The board of health in Hancock County, West Virginia recently voted 5-0 to pass the Clean Air Regulation Act of 2014. The measure, which becomes effective July 1, 2015, bans smoking in public places throughout the county, including Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino. Proponents said the new law would protect the health of casino patrons and employees.
Last month, MTR Gaming President Joseph Billhimer, representing Mountaineer’s 1,300 employees, told the board, “There is no empirical evidence anywhere that states that smoking bans improve casino revenues or improve business revenues.” Billhimer said he had hoped to work with the board to designate certain smoke-free areas in the casino and hotel.
No 2 the Ban, another group opposed to a total prohibition of smoking, had told the board the new regulations would affect not just the casino but also gas stations, cafes and other organizations that depend on the casino traffic. County Commissioner Jeff Davis also asked the board to exempt Mountaineer, cafes and fraternal organizations. “I have to look at it as my job. My responsibility is to see and oversee the finances of Hancock County. We cannot afford a $1 million hit,” he said.
Hancock County was one of only six in West Virginia that had not updated its smoking regulations since the 1990s. Now 27 of the state’s 55 counties are smoke-free.
