Palace Casino has cleared the air during a $50 million expansion and renovation project, reopening as a smoke-free casino.

Several states have laws prohibiting smoking in casinos but the Palace is the only casino in Mississippi and one of a handful in the country that has voluntarily banned smoking in the casino, restaurants, hotel rooms and other public spaces.

In the two weeks since the Palace temporarily closed, The Sun Herald reports the casino area was completely rebuilt and it now acts as an anchor for the new restaurants and lounges.

The only interior space in the resort where smoking is allowed is a $1 million smoking lounge just off the casino floor. Smoking also will be permitted outside on a deck overlooking the swimming pool and Back Bay.