Band Contemplates Removing Smoking Ban

Band Contemplates Removing Smoking Ban

Friday, April 15, 2005 at 14:36

 

 

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is seriously thinking about allowing smoking in its La Ronge-based bingo hall again.

 

Chief Tammy Cook-Searson says revenues at Keethanow Bingo North have slowed down to the point that it has been losing money since January.

 

The hall went smoke-free in May of last year.

 

Cook-Searson says the band wants to know for sure if it’s the smoking ban that has caused the drop-off in business.

 

She says the band is going to test this theory by allowing smoking in the bingo hall today and tomorrow.

 

Cook-Searson says the band council will make a decision on whether to permanently lift the smoking ban after reviewing the numbers from the next couple of days.

 

She says the band wants to promote healthy living, but also needs to make sure agencies funded by bingo revenues stay afloat.

 

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band was one of the first bands in the province to voluntarily make all its indoor facilities smoke-free.

 

Cook-Searson says if there is a change made at the bingo hall, it will be the only band building that allows smoking.