Why is Vegas still smoking?
 

After almost buying tickets and hotel several times, I finally realized that I just don't want to put up with disgusting second-hand cigarette smoke in my lungs. The vast majority of the populace is nonsmoking now, why does Vegas hang on? There are no nonsmoking facilities for gaming there. So, we take our funds to the local nonsmoking casinos (Colorado) when we want to game. I miss the Vegas scene, though; why oh why are they so far out of step?

They are nothing if not savvy about money there in Vegas. I am sure that smoking "dollar votes" take the day. Remember, they are dealing w/the whole world, not just the US.

In my highly unscientific studies, casino patrons are more likely to be smokers more than the average populace. I'm guessing the casinos don't want to lose that. Also, the idea is to keep you at the game/table. If you break for a cig, you might not come back.

Just my thoughts.

And the problem will only get worse. As fewer and fewer travel destinations are smoker friendly, those that are left will attract a higher and higher percentage of smokers as they naturally gravitate there. We've noticed that in places like New Orleans and Folly Beach, SC.

Yup; people go to the places they CAN smoke; however, I think Vegas is missing out big time on the rest of the people who like action, have money to spend, but don't smoke. (They aren't the global big draw anymore; Macao and other places make Vegas look small time.) And, if you do an unscientific survey of who's smoking, and their socioeconomic types...still think they're shooting themselves in the foot. The trend in the US is entirely toward no public smoking pollution (less so globally, but certainly trending that way); bucking that trend is losing them my $ (my friends' and neighbors' $, too).
Economically, this seems like a no-brainer.

most have non-smoking casino sections (completely separated by walls - not just an adjoining open area) . . . which are usually half empty. The VAST majority of their customers either smoke or will tolerate secondhand smoke.

If their marketing research showed going non-smoking would pay off -- they'd do it in a minute. They remain smoking because that is what their customers/big spenders want.

This is a case where the Vegas marketing people know their market. While there may be non-smoking types who love to gamble just as much as smoking types, the issue is a statistical relationship showing that smokers tend to gamble more and oftener. Our casinos in Colorado are smoke free because it is the state law. With the state regulations it would be just like Vegas. Not going to win this one when the money is on the table. Money over health any day.

"Economically, this seems like a no-brainer." It probably is, but not in the direction you are hoping for.

20+/- years ago there was at least one non-smoking casino. Silver something perhaps just south of the Riviera?

I had some friends here in Northern California who, when I came time for a vacation or weekend getaway, always went up to Reno. I figured it was because they were heavy smokers. They both passed away 3 years ago, within six months of each other, leaving behind a teenage daughter. Really sad that the couldn't stop for her sake. :(

>>Our casinos in Colorado are smoke free because it is the state law. <<

It is a state law in CA as well . . . except the Indian casinos are exempt (as they probably are everywhere if the casino is on tribal land).

I agree. I smoked for many years, and it breaks my heart that I have friends and relatives who persist in smoking. Anyway, I found a link with specifics about where you might find a smoke-free corner in Las Vegas: http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/nonsmoke.cfm

HTtY

If they could make more money with a smoking ban, it would already be in place. That's why. Very simple.

If the Vegas moguls could make money from non smoking casinos, don't you think they would have them. The big whales they want to attract smoke cigars.

Soon you'll want them to stop serving cocktails. Or pumping extra oxygen into the casinos to keep everyone awake.

As a non-smoker who goes to Vegas once a year I don't mind it.
It seems to be part of the whole hedonistic experience. It would feel odd to walk in to a casino and not smell smoke, just like if there were no ringing bells or flashing lights.

I doubt VERY much they have studied the topic at all. Until the city/state bans go into effect, the casinos will not budge. Perhaps a suit brought by workers?
Anyway, there was incredible whining and doom-and-glooming before Colorado instituted their smoking laws; and it was hugely successful.
It's not about the money,it's about the competition and being the afraid to be the first.

sylvia: >>I doubt VERY much they have studied the topic at all. Until the city/state bans go into effect, the casinos will not budge. Perhaps a suit brought by workers?
Anyway, there was incredible whining and doom-and-glooming before Colorado instituted their smoking laws; and it was hugely successful.
It's not about the money,it's about the competition and being the afraid to be the first<<

Did you read the link sf7307 posted??

They've done research on carpet and how different patterns influence gamblers. I'm quite sure they have studied smoking