The Major of Georgetown, Kentucky, voted against the possibility of smoking at bingo halls. The American Legion Post 24, that sponsors a charitable bingo in the city, had argued that their profits had decreased since the smoking prohibition was in force.
Members of the organization claimed that benefits for charitable purposes prevailed over the hazards of secondhand smoke. Public health representatives said that an exemption, even for a good cause, would make the smoking ban weaker. The Mayor agreed.
The Council had rejected another similar proposal in November.
Alyce Graves, a representative of the American Cancer Society, said: "If they let people who play bingo smoke, what does it say for everyone else?"