The good news and the bad news in smokefree policy so far in 2021.
Thumbs Up – Bridgestone Arena, home to the Nashville Predators and a major music and event venue, will be a 100% smokefree property just in time for the 2021 NHL season.
Thumbs Up – Hancock County West Virginia Board of Health for implementing a county level COVID guideline requiring gaming venues to be 100% smokefree indoors. This includes all establishments hosting limited video lottery and the Mountaineer Casino, which previously lobbied and litigated to roll back the County’s smokefree workplace regulation.
Thumbs Down – Trump Administration EPA for implementing guidelines suggested by the tobacco industry to undermine science as part of rule making.
Thumbs Up – Westin Hotels and Marriott International on the 15th anniversary of their brand-wide and portfolio-wide smokefree policies that helped change the industry norm.
Thumbs Down – Mississippi prisons for re-allowing smoking during a pandemic, undermining health and safety for inmates and staff, and reversing a 10-year old smokefree policy.
Thumbs Up – Desert Diamond Casinos (Tohono O’odham Nation) for implementing smokefree indoor air policies at all four of their sovereign Arizona casinos.
