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SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. —Three Kewadin Casino restaurants will go smoke-free starting June 15 under a resolution approved Tuesday night by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors.

Smoke-free dining will be offered at Dream Catchers Restaurant at Kewadin Casino, Sault Ste. Marie, Horseshoe Bay Restaurant at Kewadin Casino St. Ignace, and Mariner’s Cove Restaurant at Kewadin Casinos Manistique. Combined, the restaurants hold 561 diners in 11,960 square feet of space. These three restaurants serve in excess of 500,000 annually, 330,000 of that in the Sault.

“We know commercial tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease, and the Sault Tribe and Kewadin Casinos will be taking steps now and in the future to create healthier environments for our employees and our guests,” said Kewadin Casinos COO Tony Goetz.

The Community Transformation Grant (CTG) project staff and Leadership Team commended Kewadin Casinos management and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors for their action. “This is an important step to reduce exposure to second hand smoke for employees and patrons of the non smoking restaurants,” said Donna Norkoli, CTG project coordinator. The CTGs support the planning and implementation of state and community projects proven to reduce chronic diseases—such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
 
The Sault Tribe Board of Directors also approved another resolution to improve the health of tribal members, employees and business customers by expanding the Tribe’s commercial tobacco cessation program and services. Under this separate resolution effective May 13, Sault Tribe employees who not qualify for Health Division Services under the Tribe’s current eligibility policy will be able to receive tobacco cessation services through the Tribe’s Community Health Employee Wellness Clinics.