Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General's Statement On GAE Committee Approval Of Casino Smoking Ban

April 20, 2009

"This approval is a critically important step in achieving a ban on smoking that protects patrons and employees at tribal casinos from a proven killer.

"I will fight to adopt and enforce this law, although my hope is that the tribal nations will voluntarily make it their own tribal law.

"A legislative ban on casino smoking fully respects and recognizes tribal sovereignty, because both tribes have already agreed -- as a condition in their state gaming compacts -- to adopt Connecticut's public health standards.

"The measure also respects and recognizes the economic realities -- possible competition from other gambling venues -- by implementing it in stages over a period of years."