More Perspective on Smoking Bans and Their Negative Impact on Bingos and Charities

Following is an excerpt of an editorial discussing the recent New York Times article about smoking bans and their negative impact on bingo:


I grew up playing bingo since my Dad was a bingo caller for the Elks. He was also a Shriner, a Mason, a Lion, and an overall charitable person with organizations that rely on bingo games to support their service to the needy. My sister is heavily involved in the Women's Moose organization that also relies on bingo for much of their philanthropic work. Me - well, I just love to play bingo to support all my favorite local charities as my Dad taught me to do. Charities who operate bingo games to raise money are seriously suffering from the smoking bans in bingo halls.

In a report published by the New York Times, there is solid evidence that charities are suffering from the smoking bans. Some charities have had to close their bingo operations because the smokers made up the largest percentage of their customer base. Other charities have lost up to 50% of the revenues over the last year. When news broke about casinos in Atlantic City banning smoking, as do the casinos in Colorado, I was relieved to know the trend is continuing. Don't get me wrong, I smoke, but do not like smoking around people who are on oxygen tanks or become ill from my smoking. I am happy to step outside or move if someone next to me if affected by my bad habit.

Oddly enough, the nonsmokers are really the ones who benefit from the smoking bans, but they do not support the bingo operations by showing up to play and donate to the charities. Bingo employees and volunteers who do not smoke are happy about a smoke-free workplace, but many have had to find new jobs when their bingo operation shut down. So many bingo halls have closed down from lack of nonsmoker support, you would think there could be a smoking only bingo hall to keep the charities afloat, and let the nonsmokers go to the smoke-free casinos. Then everyone would be happy.

For the full article, please see Aly Adair Smoking Bans in Bingo Halls Hurt Charities Associated Content, April 28, 2008