While the bill hasn’t yet passed, numerous bars, restaurants, and other locations have adopted local smoke-free ordinances. However, of the six commercial land-based casinos, 20 riverboats, and three tribal casinos in Mississippi, only two are smoke-free
Mississippi is one of the 17 states that permit tobacco smoking indoors. However, thanks to House Bill 361, The Magnolia State might soon ban this practice for commercial riverboats and brick-and-mortar casinos this year.
New Bill Seeks to End Indoor Smoking
Directed to the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, the proposed ban on smoking in casinos is spearheaded by state Rep. Bryant Clark (D-Holmes County). If it passes, this would create the Mississippi Smoke-Free Air Act of 2025 and the state will join the numerous other states that have bans for tobacco use inside most workplaces and public buildings.
While the bill hasn’t yet passed, numerous bars, restaurants, and other locations have adopted local smoke-free ordinances. However, of the six commercial land-based casinos, 20 riverboats, and three tribal casinos in Mississippi, only two are smoke-free. These are the Island View Casino Resort’s Beach View Casino in Biloxi and Magnolia Bluffs Casino in Natchez.
In addition, the three tribal casinos are already smoke-free. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians eliminated indoor smoking from the Bok Homa Casino in Heidelberg, the Silver Star in Philadelphia, and the Golden Moon Hotel & Casino. The remaining commercial gaming facilities allow smoking anywhere on the casino floors.
State Rep. Bryant Clark has said that there is undeniable evidence that creating 100% smoke-free environments is the most effective method to safeguard the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure.
According to BRIDGING THE GAP: Status of Smokefree Air in the United States, more than 60% of Americans enjoy comprehensive smoke-free protections in all public places and workplaces such as restaurants and bars. However, in Mississippi, only about 30% of the population is protected by this smoke-free law.
What Factors Work in Favor of the Bill?
There are several factors pushing officials and legislative bodies to implement a wide-scale smoking ban in the state. For starters, Mississippi is one of the 10 “Most Challenged” states in terms of health outcomes, according to the United Health Foundation’s “America’s Health Rankings Annual Report.” It currently ranks 49th out of 50 overall and 34th for non-smoking regulations.
In addition, the casino and gambling industry is one of the fastest growing in the state. With no statewide smoke-free law to protect workers from secondhand smoke exposure, they may be at more risk. Considering the mayor of Jackson, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, has hinted at supporting an effort to bring a commercial casino and resort to the Mississippi capital, more workers and patrons might be exposed to secondhand smoke in the future, if there aren’t any new smoking regulations.
