Bill would ban Twin River smoking

Publication Date: 2009-02-16

• Author:JIM BARON
• Publication:Pawtucket (RI) Times

The already trouble-plagued Twin River gambling hall now has something else to worry about.

Sen. Paul Fogarty wants to end the exemption the General Assembly gave to Twin River and Newport Grand when it banned smoking in virtually all public places in Rhode Island more than three years ago.

Smoking was allowed to continue in limited areas at the two facilities because lawmakers feared a drop in revenue if gamblers couldn't smoke there when they are allowed to do so at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos in nearby Connecticut.

The state takes 60 cents of every dollar that is lost at Twin River and Newport Grand and that represents a significant percentage of the state's revenues

The legislature banned smoking in all other public places, including restaurants and bars so that employees would not be exposed to second hand smoke, which is considered to be a health hazard.