Clean Indoor Air Advocates Write to Casino Smoking States, Call for Tobacco Bans
As the debate over smoking in casinos continues to intensify, clean indoor air advocates are stepping up their efforts to push for tobacco bans in gambling establishments across the country.
In a recent letter addressed to casino smoking states, the advocates called on lawmakers to take action to protect the health and well-being of both employees and patrons by implementing comprehensive smoke-free policies.
The letter, which was signed by a coalition of leading public health organizations, cited numerous studies that have linked exposure to secondhand smoke to a range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses.
“Casinos are one of the last remaining indoor spaces where smoking is still allowed, despite overwhelming evidence of the harm it poses to individuals,” the advocates wrote. “It is time for states to prioritize public health and enact policies that create smoke-free environments for all.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic, and at least 250 of which are known to be harmful, including about 70 that can cause cancer.
Despite these risks, only a handful of states currently have comprehensive smoke-free laws that include casinos. In many states, smoking is still allowed on the gaming floors of casinos, putting both employees and patrons at risk of exposure to harmful secondhand smoke.
The advocates are urging lawmakers to follow the lead of states like Nevada, which recently passed a law requiring all casinos to be smoke-free indoors. They argue that such policies not only protect public health but also have the potential to increase revenue for casinos by attracting more non-smoking customers.
“Studies have shown that smoke-free policies do not have a negative impact on casino revenue,” the advocates wrote. “In fact, they can actually help to increase business by creating a healthier and more enjoyable environment for all patrons.”
In addition to protecting public health, the advocates argue that smoke-free policies in casinos are also a matter of workplace safety. They point to studies that have found higher rates of respiratory illnesses and other health problems among casino employees who are exposed to secondhand smoke on a daily basis.
“Employees should not have to choose between their health and their job,” the advocates wrote. “By implementing smoke-free policies, states can ensure that all workers are able to breathe clean air while on the job.”
The advocates are calling on lawmakers in casino smoking states to prioritize the health and well-being of their constituents by enacting comprehensive smoke-free laws that include gambling establishments. They argue that such policies are not only a matter of public health but also of social justice and civil rights.
“Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air, whether they are working in a casino, dining in a restaurant, or enjoying a night out with friends,” the advocates wrote. “It is time for states to take action to protect the health and safety of all individuals by enacting smoke-free policies in all indoor spaces.”