Conn. panel votes to ban casino smoking

HARTFORD, Conn. - A second Connecticut legislative
committee has approved a proposed ban on smoking at the two Indian
casinos in the state, despite threats of a costly lawsuit.

The Government Administration and Elections Committee passed the
proposal on an 8-3 party-line vote Monday, another step toward
debate in the full House and Senate. The Public Health Committee
voted 28-2 in favor of the bill last month.

Democratic lawmakers and the attorney general say the state has
the authority to prohibit smoking to protect workers’ health. But
Republicans insist a ban would be unconstitutional and violate
compacts between the state and the tribes.

The tribes that run Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun say a
ban would violate their rights as sovereign entities and force them
to sue.