Board of Health Votes
To Maintain Clean
Indoor Air Regulations

Members of the Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health voted down a proposed amendment to the county’s Clean Indoor Air Regulation that would have permitted Mardi Gras Casino and Resort to allow indoor cigarette smoking in a special section of the Nitro facility.

Last fall, Mardi Gras Casino and Resort officials made a presentation to the Board of Health detailing the proposed construction. On Thursday, March 20, board members voted to allow for a public comment period before considering any potential amendment or rule change to Kanawha County’s regulation. The comment period closed May 2.

During the May 15 meeting, an amendment was proposed allowing for cigarette smoking indoors in no more than 10 percent of the casino’s square footage with a segregated ventilation system. Serving food in the smoking area would not have been allowed, according to the proposed amendment.

Board members voted 4-2 against the proposed amendment. Dr. Art Rubin, D.O., Dr. Dara Aliff-Lao, D.O., FACOG, Lillian Morris, R.N., and Danita Nellhaus, R.N., voted against the measure. President Jeremy Nelson and board member Jessica Hudson voted in favor.

The Board of Health meets every other month on the third Thursday at Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. Meetings are open to the public.