Harrah's
Criticizes Smoking Ban
As reported by the St. Louis
Post-Dispatch: "After keeping a poker face
for the better part of six months, Harrah's Casino
is stepping up its criticism of St. Louis County's
proposed indoor smoking ban.
"In a release fired off hours after the ban
was first introduced to the County Council Tuesday
night, casino officials said the measure would cost
them, and the county, untold amounts of money.
"'We believe jobs, along with customers, revenues
and tax dollars could be lost to adjacent counties
and cities if this measure is enacted,' said Fred
Stuckel, a Harrah's spokesman.
"…The plan would allow the casino to
designate 50 percent of its gaming area for smoking.
But, according to Stuckel, the casino would not
be allowed to serve food in the smoking area. Stuckel
said this limitation would chase smoking customers
across the county line into St. Charles County,
St. Louis and Illinois.
"…Jan Jones, a spokeswoman for Harrah's,
said the company would rather see the entire gaming
floor be made smoke-free and the restaurants maintain
smoking areas…"
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