Close smoking loophole

Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, Iowa: Last summer, Gov. Terry Branstad announced his goal to make Iowa the healthiest state in the country. A good step in that direction would be to close the gaping loophole in the state’s smoking ban, which marks its fourth anniversary this weekend.

When the state banned smoking in public places in 2008, lawmakers cowed to the casino lobby and allowed gambling establishments an exemption to the ban. So despite a statewide ban by which every other business abides, gamblers are allowed to smoke away in Iowa’s casinos. It just doesn’t make sense.

The state of Iowa thinks it is safeguarding its financial interest by continuing to allow smoking in casinos, but one case like this one could turn the tables.

An effort to close the loophole failed in the Iowa House last year. This year, it didn’t even come up. That’s too bad. Branstad has already said he would support a change in the ban exemption. He should. This is the governor who is hoping Iowans will change their ways and make healthier living a priority. What kind of message does it send if the state puts the health of smoking casino patrons above non-smoking casino employees?