The Cosmoplitan of Las Vegas is scaling back the number of areas on its premises where smoking is still allowed. While the move is certainly music to the ears of the health-conscious Vegas travelers, the new no-smoking areas are more likely part of a broader effort aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19.
According to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is limiting smoking to designated gaming tables, in the William-Hill Sportsbook, and at slot machines. Smoking will not be allowed in public corridors and walkways.
Company officials say that the new policies are being put in place to help protect the health and well-being of both staff and guests. The prevailing scientific thought on COVID-19 spread suggests that it can be transmitted through the air and smoke only aids in that spread.
At the same time, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is also yielding to an undeniable trend for every business in America, the smoke-free space. Most travelers prefer to frequent smoke-free establishments and many people may never even have been to an establishment that allowed smoking.
In fact, more than one source has pointed out that COVID-19 may bring about the total abolition of smoking in the fabled Las Vegas casinos.
In a recent statement reported on by the Las Vegas Review-Journal Brendan Bussmann, director of government affairs for Las Vegas-based Global Market Advisors LLC pointed out the dynamic saying, “Smoking will likely be one of the casualties of the Great Shutdown. Numerous casinos across the country have implemented non-smoking policies, at least on a temporary basis. In the long term, smoking will likely have a smaller and smaller footprint on the casino floor if it has one at all.”
Once an establishment like a casino goes smoke-free, it’s difficult to picture a rollback of the no-smoking policies.