Casino Smoking Exemption Raising Questions

February 26, 2010

(DODGE CITY, Kan.)

Governor Parkinson's signature is the only step before a state-wide smoking becomes official in Kansas. But a clause in the bill, still allowing smoking inside state-run casinos, has some people wondering if it's fair. Especially those in Dodge City, the sight of Kansas' only state run casino.

It's all part of nightly clean-up at the Broken Spoke Steakhouse, chairs go up and ash trays are emptied.

"At least in my establishment you don't have to stand out in the rain and the cold and the snow and the Kansas wind, you can come in here. You can smoke , you can go to the non- smoking, dancing area, so it's kind of the best of both worlds at my place," explains owner Cliff Bone.

A local smoking ordinance has Bone splitting his business, smoking on one side, no smoking on the other. But with Thursday's state-wide smoking ban passing, he'll have no choice but to go smoke free this summer.

All while patrons at Boot Hill Casino, just up the road, will get to light up all they want.

"In my position, in this business, in this town, I don't see how it can be right for the state to do something a local business can't do that's already operating here."

An exemption that's causing frustration for some and relief for others. Once Dodge City passed its smoking ordinance a lot of businesses decided to just go smoke free, which is one reason why smokers say they're glad they'll have at least one option.

"It is getting pretty rare, less and less places coming along where you can smoke," said Audra Squires.

That's why Audra Squires was relieved she would at least have the casino as a place to relax and have a cigarette.

"I understand the respect there needs to be for people who don't smoke but it's almost like reverse discrimination."

Ironic enough, the one place that's causing a little frustration for Dodge City bar owners may also be the reason they'll be able to stay afloat once the ban takes affect.

Bone adds, "I think that for us in Dodge City, we may have a chance to build our businesses because the casino can be a draw to our community. I don't think the same thing can be said for towns that don't have a casino."

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