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Opinion
Aug. 31, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

LETTERS: It's the economy, not the smoking law, stupid

To the editor:

Once again, the editors from the smoke-filled halls of the Review-Journal show their bias when it comes to smoking ("Economic consequences," Tuesday editorial) -- this time in the form of fuzzy math and an apparent inability to truly look inside the numbers.

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    • It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that our economy is in a pretty tough crunch right now.

    The price of gasoline is up, housing prices have plummeted, tourism is down and conventions that used to spill out into auxiliary halls now get a fraction of the visitors they had prior.

    Yet the Review-Journal editors would have us believe the smoking ban, passed by the majority of voters in the 2006 election, is the root of all evil and the reason for all of Nevada's ills.

    Well, let's take a look at the numbers posted by the editor. He cites the woes of slot route operator Herbst Gaming, which reported a 20 percent decline in business in 2007 followed by another 12 percent decline through 2008.

    Let's compare that with a true locals casino, where all these grocery and convenience store slot players evidently are flocking in record numbers with cigarettes in hand.

    Green Valley Ranch would seem to be a fair comparison. Green Valley Ranch got off to a good start in 2007, but ended the year flat and, depending on which set of figures you look at, is now down either 11 percent or 17 percent.

    So while it would appear that Herbst Gaming has managed to pare its losses, Green Valley Ranch is heading the opposite direction.

    Smoking has nothing to do with the lack of gamblers. Gamblers are simply being more wary with their money.

    One additional note: Green Valley Ranch just added an entire non-smoking section. One would think they did this to build business, not to run it out the doors.

    Tony Marovitz

    HENDERSON

    Take back Nevada

    To the editor:

    A Southern Nevada unemployment rate above the national average, slot route operator Herbst Gaming on the ropes, tavern closures, tens of millions of dollars in lost tax revenue and profits for the big casinos that benefit from an unfair law.

    Maybe now would be the time to realize that the unconstitutional, anti-business smoking law passed by voters in 2006 was a tragic mistake and present it fairly. Let's see this on the November ballot and list a third smoking option, rather than just the two non-smoking choices the electorate was offered two years ago.

    Where is Southern Nevada's tavern association? Where is Mothers Against Drunk Driving? People are now forced to leave taverns in order to get something to eat. Where are the pro-business politicians?

    Are not the true rebels of Nevada sick of being held hostage by a vocal minority of transplanted socialites who have made a mockery of individual rights in their own state?

    And now the answer for this lost tax revenue? Raise hotel room taxes to discourage more people from visiting Las Vegas.

    This slippery slope has been tested, its ugly agenda revealed, and now is the time for the majority of sane Nevadans to take our state back before we find ourselves at the bottom of a very large and fetid pile.

    Robert Opp

    LAS VEGAS



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    Jen wrote on September 02, 2008 03:36 PM: The only thing that ticks me off is that this was touted as "for the children" well, as a mother of 3 children, I would NEVER take them into a bar. That's ridiculous!! I do like eating dinner in a nice restaurant without the smoke, but in bars? Come on.... I agree that business owners should have the right to make that decision for themselves. But, we voted, so now what?


    John Brooks wrote on September 02, 2008 11:02 AM: Although Tony makes some good points, and clearly there are a variety of factors affecting the local economy, one only has to speak to a few tavern owners to get a sense of the impact the smoking ban has had. While the effects of the housing crisis and the rise in unemployment have been somewhat gradual, the effects caused by the smoking ban were immediate and obvious. Many tavern owners can show you numbers from just before and just after that make it clear that ban has been devastating to their businesses.

    Furthermore I have to agree with Robert that the issue extends well beyond the economic argument and into personal freedoms. I am a non smoker with allergies. I hate smoke and to be honest wish that it did not exist at all. However, it is not my right to enforce my preferences on everyone - even if my choice is the majority. I vote with my dollars. I don’t have to go into smoke filled bars. I frequent places that have good ventilation or clearly separated non smoking sections.

    Let the business owners and consumers make their own decisions.


    Tim wrote on September 01, 2008 06:01 PM: what a bunch of losers,i don't smoke but you freaks gotta real problem.mikey and 7.62,like you even own a weapon,forget rights are for everyone.wnen they come for your bullets instead of cigarettes,will see if you still talk s-hit.


    Sad Summerlin wrote on August 31, 2008 11:27 PM: You people who want to keep attacking smokers.... have fun... if that's what you think the issue is all about, then you are quite naive.

    I am absolutely NOT defending the habit of others nor supporting that smoking is actually good for you... it smells and is bad...

    But there are people that smoke. It is as legal as drinking alcohol. It is a legal drug that our government makes a boat-load of cash in taxes...

    If we hate smokers so much... why don't we make the sale of cigarettes illegal... that would stop the bad habit wouldn't it?

    We don't do this because we live in America. Normally, we don't like to give up our freedoms... but in this case, it is okay for us to give up the freedoms of our neighbors as long as it doesn't affect us, right?

    As long as the government restrictions only affect smokers... it's okay.

    Well... government tried with prohibition on alcohol once. The government do-gooders have stopped certain foods in California and Illinois...

    Next it will be candy bars and diet soda and McDonalds and the portions at Claim Jumper and how much you are allowed to gamble on slot machines...

    Sometime... in one of the regulations... it will affect you... and then you will remember... it wasn't so bad when it was just the smokers...


    mikey wrote on August 31, 2008 09:48 PM: So,what is a smoker? Let's take a look-probably divorced at least once,maybe finished high school-no college though, watches wrestling and swears it's real, drives drunk at least once a week leaving pt's or some other dive bar they smoke and gamble at, lies to their significant other regularly and last but not least will blow 4 bucks a pack for cigs but there kids can't get that ice bike for their birthday. Hmm-sounds great,anyone have a light?


    7.62mm FMJ wrote on August 31, 2008 09:38 PM: Anyone ever notice that a smokers only concern is themselves? As long as you get your nicotine addiction fix, f@ck everyone else huh? You should all be proud!


    mr non-smoker wrote on August 31, 2008 09:35 PM: How do you convince a smoker to stop? Well, since they have no self control and know everything. It ain't gonna happen. Smoke up dummies-oh that's right,smoking isn't bad at all,it's been a conspiracy all along! LMAO


    abe s. wrote on August 31, 2008 09:27 PM: Hello! My name is Ou812, and I am an idiot. Can you help me pay my child support


    0u812 wrote on August 31, 2008 08:33 PM: I smoke in all areas of non smoking and love it. All they say is hey this is a non smoking area, i laugh and act like i can't hear or talk aaaaghagahagahagah. Have them show the life of a non smoker vs a smoker bet ya a dime the smokers live longer. Remember when you wake up you have already inhaled more carcinogens than a smoker does smoking 4 cigs.


    br wrote on August 31, 2008 07:26 PM: Sorry about that last post being so
    wide. I don't know how that happened.
    It looked normal here.


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