Derrick Watchman, a member of the Navajo Nation and chief executive officer of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise recently expressed concern about the anti-smoking movement that’s taking hold throughout the tribe’s reservation. To date, more than 30 Navajo communities have passed resolutions to prohibit smoking in public places, although none of them have impacted the tribe’s casinos in New Mexico and Arizona–yet.
Watchman said, “Our position has been that it could be detrimental. There are studies out there that suggest smoking bans really, really impact revenue. And with limited revenue you can only employ so much.”
Currently, other tribes in New Mexico and Arizona also do not have smoking bans at their facilities.
