DURBAN - While the trade of cigarettes and tobacco products has been banned a Durban casino has created a designated space for smoking patrons.
Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World and its hotel in Durban sent an SMS to its reward cards holders informing them about a new smoking area that will be opening.
According to the SMSes that were sent out, the “Smoking Casino” as it has been named, is located near the Rose Bar with more than 40 slot machines available to play on. Smokers were reported to be comfortable in this new section. According to Lungi Mtshali, the spokesperson for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, smoking cigarettes is not banned, only the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products is banned.
However, Mtshali stated that the new smoking area posed a concern.
He said: “This invites a problem. It creates an avenue for the sale of illicit cigarettes. I must reiterate though, the temporary ban is on the sale of cigarettes and not on smoking. “Although this ban remains in place; venues are allowed to demarcate specific areas for smoking.”
Although smoking is allowed in the casino, the sale of cigarettes in the casino is prohibited. Kelly Graham, Tsogo Sun’s Communications Manager said: “All changes to the casino floor are in line with the required regulations.”
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