A Nevada congressman is criticised by an anti-smoking group for smoking in US casinos.

 The argument about the efficacy of air filtering equipment in casinos has been reignited by an open letter to state legislators and gaming commissioners calling for the prohibition of smoking indoors.
 man in a haze of smoke
 Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights (ANR), a nationwide anti-smoking advocacy organisation that has long opposed state exemptions for casinos included in indoor smoking prohibitions, sent an open letter on Thursday, September 19.  The letter calls on state legislators and regulators to address indoor smoking as a responsible gaming problem.

 In the open letter to states, ANR stated, "Allowing smoking on gaming floors not only poses significant health risks to patrons and employees alike, but it also encourages prolonged gambling sessions without breaks – a fundamental tenet of responsible play."

 Additionally, the anti-smoking organisation cited a US National Council on Problem Gambling statement.

 The NCPG stated that smoking cessation at casinos is likely to promote public health and lower the prevalence of problem gambling.

 Titus: Las Vegas has advanced significantly.
 The news platform Semafor also discussed the matter during an event on Thursday in Washington, DC.  Dina Titus, a US representative from Nevada, was requested to respond to public health organisations' concerns about smoking in casinos.

 "The state legislature has examined this issue intermittently, and once more, you find the industry regulating itself," Titus stated.  "With all the new casinos on the Strip, you can find the newest technology almost anyplace you go.  Although they've done a decent job, it's not the dimly lit, vintage, and smoky spots that are still around downtown.

 "I would challenge you to go in places like that and find that it will be a very smoky atmosphere because even some of the slot machine banks have filters on the side that suck out the bad air."

 A smoking ban is the greatest solution, according to an anti-smoking group.
 On Friday, September 20, ANR quickly released a statement disputing Titus' claim.

 According to Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of ANR, "the engineers who design ventilation systems have repeatedly told casinos to stop claiming that they protect workers and guests from dangerous secondhand smoke."  "Odour is eliminated by these systems, not carcinogens or other dangerous substances.  Casinos must completely ban indoor smoking if they want to ensure that patrons and employees are breathing clean air.

 Additionally, she cited an American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers statement.

 The group contends that "no ventilation or air-cleaning system that is currently available or reasonably anticipated can adequately control or significantly reduce the health risks of [environmental tobacco smoke] to an acceptable level."

 Nevadans are in favour of banning smoking indoors in casinos, Hallett continued.  She cited a Normington Petts survey conducted earlier this year, which found that about 60% of Nevada voters are in favour of banning smoking in all places of employment, including casinos.