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Tobacco
seeks to influence Nevada Legislature
Tobacco
Industry Gears Up For the Anti-Smoking Fight
California ban spurs contributions to Nevada Lawmakers.
Carson
City- Fearing a California anti-smoking
law may spread to Nevada, the tobacco industry is starting to
contribute to the campaigns of state legislators. "I'm sure
we will have to fight it in the next Legislature," said Jack
Jeffrey, a lobbyist for the Tobacco Institute, referring to the
California law prohibiting smoking in bars that went into effect
Jan. 1. In letters to the editors of newspapers and public
comment, nonsmoking citizens have been advocating that a ban be
extended to Nevada resorts, Jeffrey said.
Harvy Whittemore, lobbyist for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Co. and the Nevada resort industry, said there's a great fear of
an effort in Nevada to stop smoking in casinos "which would
have a significant impact on both tobacco and gaming."
A letter has been sent to all legislators, Whittemore said,
briefing them on the pending tobacco settlement before Congress
and the new law in California.
The first evidence of tobacco's concern comes in the form
of campaign contributions of $500 each to Sens. Randolph Townsend,
R-Reno and Jon Porter, R-Boulder City. The contributions made late
last year, were from the Tobacco Institute. Both Townsend and
Porter are nonsmokers. Asked how he might vote if a bill came
forward banning cigarettes in casinos, Townsend said. "That
will be interesting. I have never thought about it. I would have
to see how it plays out."
Townsend has complained many times in the past that
lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and not
wearing seat belts is costing Nevadans millions of dollars in
medical costs. He has been a strong advocate for physical fitness.
Although he received the contribution, Townsend said he has
not talked to anyone from the Tobacco Institute. Neither has the
Tobacco Institute approached Porter. "I have not taken a
position," he said. "There are a lot of variables. The
only position I have taken is that I don't smoke."
Jeffrey said the Tobacco Institute gave donations to all
the legislative political caucuses and will be making campaign
contributions to those running for office this election.
He expects to donate $500 to those in Senate races and $300 to
those running for the Assembly. "We will try to cover
everybody," he said.
Although he expects an anti-smoking bill in 1999, Jeffrey
said he can't see the Legislature going for it in Nevada.
"I'd be surprised if it passes," he said. "I'm sure
there's going to be some sentiment (for an anti-smoking bill), but
there was a nonsmoking casino in Reno that didn't make it. And the
Silver City Casino on the Las Vegas Strip tried it, but gave up
after about one year."
Whittemore agreed, saying that casinos should be able to
make those decisions, based on business judgement. Nevada's
law is fairly balanced and does not share the same problems as
California, Whittemore said. There are requirements that large
restaurants have to provide nonsmoking areas. And he said the
state has waged a successful campaign to stop the sale of
cigarettes to minors.
Townsend said he recently had dinner in a Reno Casino and
was impressed with the technology improvements. He said the smoke
seems to be filtered out. "It's not like it used to be, but
then I don't work in a casino," he said. Jeffrey agreed
with Townsend saying some casinos have done a superb job with
their ventilation systems. "You can't just tell people are
smoking," he said. "The New systems are great."
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