American Cancer Society: Casino Could Be Hazardous To Your Health

American Cancer Society: Casino Could Be Hazardous To Your Health

Opposition to Gov. Paterson's nearly-completed casino deal with a Wisconsin-based Indian tribe seems to be coming from all directions, reports our Glenn Blain:


Neighboring tribes, racino operators, and newspaper editorials have all panned Paterson's effort. And now the American Cancer Society is getting into the act.

In a letter to Paterson today, the group expresses its formal opposition to the proposal because smoking would be allowed in the Sullivan County casino.

The state's Clean Indoor Air Law, which prohibits smoking in worksites and public places, is not enforced on Indian lands.

"We believe the compact’s failure to meaningfully address smoking is backsliding and a bad deal for the health of New Yorkers," the Society's Russell Sciandra wrote in the letter.

"At a time when smoke-free environments are becoming the norm all over the world, and New York is recognized as a leader in this death and disease-preventing movement, this agreement freezes in place the bad old days of smoke-filled rooms, subjecting the nonsmoking majority to the pollution generated by the small minority that still uses tobacco," he added.

Paterson is expected to announce the deal with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians on Monday. Critics have charged that he's rushing the deal to bolster his legacy before leaving office in December.

Others have argued that the proposed casino, which must still be approved by the federal government, would siphon business from existing Indian casinos in New York and the state's video-lottery facilities - including the one planned for Aqueduct.

Paterson and other supporters, including Sen. Charles Schumer, have said the casino will provide a huge boost to the Catskills' economy.

Preliminary plans call for a 584,000-square-foot facility with 3,000 slot machines and 190 gaming tables in the town of Thompson. If it opens, it would be the full-service gambling