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| There is a "hypnotic" reason Nevada has yet to prohibit smoking in casinos. |
The anti-tobacco movement has gained considerable
momentum during the past 15 years resulting in the adoption of government policies,
taxes and procedures designed to limit usage.
Yet, there remains an oasis where smokers can still congregate and light
up hassle-free – Las Vegas casinos.
The Washington
Post recently published an interesting article that explores why the state
of Nevada has been so reticent when it comes to banning tobacco use in casinos. As you may have suspected, it is about money.
The article cites a 2014 report by Deutsche Bank
that suggests a ban in Nevada could lead to a 7.5 percent decline in gaming
revenue during the first year.
Here is the hypnosis angle. Research organizations affiliated with the
gaming industry suspect that smoking reinforces the trance-inducing rituals
associated with gambling.
A 2002 study published by the scientific journal
Addiction found that “daily smokers gambled on more days and spent more money
gambling; they also ‘craved’ gambling more and had lower perceived control over
their gambling.”
The subconscious mind influences us each and every
day. That influence can be directed in
positive ways, such as stress mitigation, confidence building, healthy eating
habits, and athletic and academic performance.
Or, the subconscious can be tasked for more
nefarious means, such as gambling and smoking.
I say go positive!
