Another two casinos in Michigan have opted to ban smoking.
In a bold move towards promoting better health and comfort for its patrons, Michigan’s Ojibwa Casino announced that its Baraga and Marquette locations will become smoke-free zones.
Beginning March 24, all facilities within these casinos, including popular spots like Superior Eats, the Pressbox, and the Baraga Hotel, will be free from smoking and vaping.
The announcement was made via the casino’s Facebook page: “This decision underscores our commitment to providing a healthier, more comfortable environment for all guests and team members.”
The move comes on the heels of The American Lung Association releasing its “State of Tobacco Control 2025,” which calls on state lawmakers to end casino smoking.
Studies Back Ojibwa Casino Decision
The decision to go smoke-free is rooted in well-documented health benefits. Numerous studies show that smoke-free facilities can drastically improve air quality, reducing the risk of serious health problems linked to secondhand smoke.
For instance, a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene highlighted elevated levels of harmful particulates, including nicotine, in the air of casinos where smoking is allowed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks potential health risks in gaming venues through its State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System. This system monitors three types of places:
- Casinos
- Racetrack Casinos (Racinos)
- Bingo Halls
However, it doesn't include gaming locations on Native American reservations or places with only slots or card games, even if they are called casinos or racinos. It also doesn't track smoking rules at sports betting sites or off-track betting (OTB) facilities.
The STATE System cites a study on Pennsylvania casinos that found 50% of the sampled casinos had air pollution levels that could lead to cardiovascular disease after just two hours of exposure.
This is particularly relevant in enclosed spaces like casinos, where air circulation is often limited. Exposure to secondhand smoke is known to increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory issues among non-smokers, making this initiative a vital public health measure.
Other States Considering Similar Casino Smoking Bans
The smoke-free policy aligns with public health findings and reflects the growing trend of casino environments prioritizing the health of everyone involved, including others in Michigan.
In New Jersey, groups are actively working to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos. This fight is also happening in other places. In Kansas and Missouri, groups are urging lawmakers to ban smoking in state-owned casinos to protect non-smokers and casino workers. However, if Kansas passes this legislation, casinos operated by Native American tribes won't be required to comply.
Indoor smoking is still allowed on commercial casino gaming floors in 17 states: Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Additionally, several states with tribal casinos permit indoor tobacco use.
Will Other Casinos Implement Smoking Bans in 2025?
But after March 24, guests can look forward to enjoying a breath of fresh air as they experience all that Ojibwa Casino has to offer in a cleaner, healthier setting.
As lawmakers consider legislation for online casinos and sports betting, the smoke-free casino debate appears to be only getting stronger. It may have to be decided sooner rather than later.
