The Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health made the right call in voting down an exemption of the Clean Indoor Air Act that would’ve allowed for smoking in some parts of Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Nitro.
The request was made several months ago by casino owner and operator Delaware North because of declining revenue at the resort’s slot machines. Slot machines are the preferred game of smokers, the company argued, so allowing for a small smoking area where some slot machines could be placed would bring in more customers or keep them there longer.
The Board of Health rejected the proposal, 4-2, with member Danita Nellhouse offering the best take on the proposition, saying: “We are board members of the health department. We’re not the chamber of commerce. Our first priority is the health of the residents here.”
