The state Legislature today is expected to once again start debating the idea of a statewide smoking ban.

That would include places like the floors of the insanely popular new slots casinos in the state.

Doing so would put us on par with our neighbors in Delaware and New Jersey, which have banned smoking in most public places. New Jersey last week expanded their ban to include casino floors.

It is expected that Pennsylvania’s casinos are expected to fight any such move here. I guess they like the idea of being something of a final holdout in the smoking wars. Maybe they are marketing themselves as “smokder-friendly.”

As someone who recently had the opportunity to stroll through the casino floor at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack, I can tell you the ban can’t come soon enough. You can cut the smoke with a knife in the place.

Of course, I’m not a smoker. Nor am I much of a gambler. The casino holds no real allure for me. Just the sound of it turns me off. The smoke simply seals the deal.

But Pennsylvania should move forward with debating and voting on such a ban anyway. Some people don’t have a choice when it comes to these conditions. They actually work in the casino, and they suck in that smoke all day and night, regardless of whether they smoke or not.

That’s what you would call a losing bet.