Following a Tribal Council majority vote, Harrah’s casinos in Cherokee and Murphy will become smoke-free on a permanent basis, reports Smoky Mountain News.

A non-smoking policy in the casinos had been in place since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Tribal Council has now decided to make the ban permanent.
“This is our public health laws, which is in ordinance, which is within your realm, so this is your decision,” said tribal member Lavita Hill. “What we’re asking you to do, what casino employees are asking you to do, is to make a law ensuring that their workplace remains healthy and remains smoke-free.”
“It’s a national thing that people are paying attention to — you can’t smoke in restaurants anymore, airplanes, none of that. Smoking is an addition. It’s an option and it’s a killer,” said Big Cove Representative Teresa McCoy, another supporter of the ordinance and a former smoker.
While Principal Chief Richard Sneed agreed, he offered an amendment that would allow Harrah’s to create dedicated indoor gaming areas for smokers, according to Smoky Mountain News.