A dangerous gamble for Sky City

A dangerous gamble for Sky City

A decision by NZ’s gaming commission may now allow Sky City patrons to smoke as well as gamble, but the Cancer Society is asking how this will fit with the Government’s commitment to become Smokefree by 2025. While Sky City appears to have numerous policies on host responsibility and harm reduction from obvious things like problem gambling and alcohol abuse, they don’t appear at all concerned about the harm from increased smoking.

“The recent commitment for New Zealand to become Smokefree by 2025 is a great step in the right direction to reducing smoking related cancers”. Says John Loof, CEO Cancer Society. “However the latest announcement from the Gambling Commission to allow a designated smoking area whilst gambling is hard to fathom and should not go ahead.” Evidence shows that this move will increase both the amount of gambling and the amount of smoking.

Sky city is set to build an designated VIP smoking area to house gaming machines, which will allow patrons to smoke and gamble without interruption.

“There are five funerals every day in Auckland from smoking related diseases. At the Cancer Society we are trying to reduce this number and support people to quit, not encourage them to smoke” says John Loof. “Morally where does Sky City stand? Surely they have a commitment to look after their customers and their workers, and be working towards a Smokefree 2025, like the rest of us!”

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