To Smoke or Not to Smoke - That is the Question

Author's note: "Table Talk" is intended to be an in-depth discussion of the most important issues in poker. This column will feature a wide range of perspectives designed to encourage debate and discussion on current topics within the poker industry.

Smoking has been one of society's most controversial issues over the past decade. The dispute has pitted smokers against nonsmokers and has produced hostilities that have brought new laws into existence that affect public buildings, retail stores – and even bars and restaurants. Nonsmokers demand their right to breath clean air, while many smokers believe their rights are violated when smoking is banned in certain establishments by the government.

The debate about smoking has now transgressed into the poker world. Many casinos have joined with other business sectors and banned smoking. In fact, within the past five years, most major cardrooms in the United States have gone "nonsmoking." Many Indian casinos, which are exempt from state laws, have voluntarily banned smoking. While the majority of poker players probably support the nonsmoking rule (we'll find out the exact percentages in the poll results), several issues remain open to debate. Will the day eventually come when smoking is banned inside all cardrooms? Will we see the day when smoking is banned at all major poker tournaments? If so, is this contrary to the spirit of poker – which owes its inauguration to smoky bars and backrooms?

Indeed, the times they are a changing. Nonsmokers outnumber smokers, not only in the poker world but in society at large. The smoking issue has effectively divided the poker world into two camps, pitting smokers against nonsmokers and libertarians, who may not be smokers themselves, but who detest strict one-size-fits-all restrictions on behavior.

Question No. 1: Should large cardrooms offer both smoking and nonsmoking areas?

Yes – Large cardrooms should make an effort to appease both camps. They should provide designated areas and games for both smokers and nonsmokers. Poker is different from other casino games because of the amount of time players spend inside the casino. Poker players often play for many hours at a time, whereas most other gamblers play for much shorter periods. Yet, almost all casinos allow smoking at blackjack tables, slot machines, and so forth. It is unfair and unwise to allow smoking inside most casinos but not allow smoking inside cardrooms, as well. Special areas should be designated for smokers so they can enjoy poker as much as nonsmokers.

No – Smoking is a filthy, nasty habit. The last thing cardrooms should do is cater to a constituency that is steadily losing numbers. One reason is, it's bad for business. Furthermore, most poker players, including many smokers, do not want smoking inside their poker rooms. Smokers can step outside for a "smoke break," just as they do when frequenting an office building or an airport. They should not be allowed to pollute the air inside the poker room.

Question No. 2: Should smoking be banned during all poker tournaments?

Yes – Just about every major poker tournament in North America has already banned smoking. This even includes the last frontier of rugged individualism, the World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe. The reason is simple: Everyone who pays money to enter a poker tournament should have the right to be comfortable and participate in a healthy atmosphere. It's not just a matter of clean air. If smoking is permitted, smokers enjoy a competitive advantage, since their secondhand smoke annoys and distracts many nonsmokers. The side effects (particularly on nonsmokers) are blurry vision, runny noses, and respiratory problems. Every poker player who has ever sat next to a rude smoker knows the unpleasant experience of breathing polluted air. Cardrooms have an obligation to protect their customers.

No – Poker is not a Little League game or a baby shower. It's a game played by adults where people often drink and smoke and reveal their inner selves. Smokers have just as much right to be comfortable wherever they play as nonsmokers do. Somehow, poker survived and even prospered for more than a hundred years with smoking out in the open. Now, the "political correctness" police want to shut it down and make everyone into a health nut. If I enter a poker tournament and make it to a final table, I should be allowed to smoke – especially if no one at the table objects to my doing so!

Question No. 3: Should smoking be banned inside all cardrooms?

Yes – Smoking causes discomfort for many people. Smoking creates serious illnesses. The long-term effects of smoking can even be deadly. Given the well-documented health hazards, cardrooms have an obligation to protect their customers from dangerous toxins. If someone wants to smoke outside or in the privacy of their own home, that's fine. But smokers' rights end where my nose begins. I don't want to be forced to inhale dirty air – whether I am shopping, working, or playing poker.

No – Most smokers are polite people. If secondhand smoke bothers others at the poker table, the overwhelming majority of smokers usually move the cigarette away from the victim. A universal ban on smoking inside all cardrooms smacks of unnecessary authoritarianism. People are grossly overreacting to a small problem. What next? No drinking at the poker table? No displays of anger? No telling jokes because someone might get offended? Where does it all end?

Question No. 4 (For Smokers Only): Would a cardroom's ban on smoking make you play poker in a different establishment where smoking is allowed?

Question No. 5 (For Smokers Only): If there's a "great" poker game – that is, you observe several players playing very badly – but smoking is not allowed, will you play?

Question No. 6 (For Nonsmokers Only): Would a cardroom's approval of smoking make you play poker in a different establishment where smoking is banned?

Question No. 7 (For Nonsmokers Only): If there's a "great" poker game – that is, you observe several players playing very badly – but several of the players are smoking, will you play?

What do you think? You are encouraged to visit www.cardplayer.com, where you can register your votes. Please do so by Nov. 26. You also may e-mail your comments directly to: [email protected]. Comments may be printed in a follow-up column, along with poll results. Due to space constraints, please limit your comments to no more than 300 words. All comments received may be edited for content.