Friday is the first day that Nevada government buildings and public destinations, including Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport will be entirely smoke-free. And while non-smokers are exhaling a collective triumphant sigh, other businesses are up in arms against the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act. Some of these businesses include several Southern Nevada tavern owners and small casinos, who filed a lawsuit on Tuesday - citing the enforcement of the bill will significantly result in a loss of needed business.

The act, which goes into law on Friday, received 45,000 more votes from supporters than it did from dissidents during the November 7 elections. With a 54% margin of victory, it remains highly unlikely the current lawsuit will help to overturn the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act. While regular casino floors are exempt from the law, stand-alone slot parlors where food is served, namely taverns with slot machines, are not exempt. Being that the McCarran International Airport is a public entity, the airport has no choice but to comply with the ban. The company which operates the airports food and concession outlets says they will also comply with the ban.

Since McCarran Airport has over 1,300 slot machines, many are wondering whether the airport should be exempt from the ban - much like Las Vegas casinos are. Airport executives are currently awaiting a ruling by the District Attorney's Office on whether smoking lounges with slot machines should be exempt from the ban as well. Clark County Aviation Deputy Director, Rosemary Vassiliadis says it is unlikely the airport will be allowed exemptions. Even airport bars would probably need to enclose a designated smoking area and cease serving food before an exemption would even be considered by the District Attorney's Office.

So it is that McCarran International Airport will join the list of sixty U.S. airports who have smoking bans in place. While it is true that business goes on as usual at these airports, and that smokers have learned to adapt, the fact that slot machines in McCarran International Airport generate over $37 million for the Clark County Aviation Department, makes the ban more touchy with airport officials and for those who think that the Nevada economy will suffer as a direct result of smoker's gambling less at slot machines and casinos.