Casino dodges smoking ban - serious health risk

"Minister Della Bosca should put the health of hospitality workers and

all casino patrons before the interests of Tabcorp, the owner of Star

City Casino," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The evidence is in on passive smoking and the NSW government should

not cave into the demands of the gambling industry.

"There is no justification for banning smoking in some areas of the

casino and not in others, especially when the only difference is how

much is being gambled.

"The Health Minister should move quickly to overrule his own department

NSW Health.

"There is no justification for extending the exemption for another year

to allow smoking in special rooms at the Sydney casino.

"The NSW government should work with the federal government to ensure

casinos in other states abide by a ban on smoking.

"A large number of casino employees are at risk as the exemption allows

smoking to occur in seven rooms in the Sydney casino.

"The action of NSW Health runs counter to the government's

obligations under this state*s occupational health and safety laws to

ensure employees are not put at risk.

"This exemption is possible in NSW because in 2000 the Labor government

with the support of the Coalition caved into the tobacco, hotel and

gambling industries and watered down the Smoke-free Environment Act.

"Tabcorp is a regular donor to Labor and the Coalition parties. Since

1999 Labor has received just over $760,000 from the gambling industry

while the Liberal and National parties have received $329,000.

"The tobacco industry lobby has a close working relationship with the

Australian Hotels Association, the key advocacy group that has pushed

for the retention of the exemption," Ms Rhiannon said.

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