Casino Smoking Ban Discussion Advances in Pennsylvania

Article by : Erik Gibbs Sep 22, 2023

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Fifteen years after Pennsylvania implemented a ban on smoking in most public places, a legislator aims to close existing loopholes permitting smoking in casinos and certain other establishments to safeguard workers’ health.

Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny), Chairman of the State House Health Committee, conducted a hearing on Wednesday.

During the hearing, casino dealers, gaming experts and health professionals testified about the adverse health consequences of secondhand smoke exposure experienced by casino employees during their work.

While Pennsylvania’s $5.5 billion gaming industry representatives did not testify, a business owner stated that prohibiting tobacco smoking would affect various types of establishments, including private clubs and cigar bars, leading to reduced patronage or even closure.

Frankel referenced a National Institutes for Health study released after implementing the Clean Indoor Air Act in 2008. The study projected that six out of 10,000 casino workers would die annually from heart and lung diseases, a rate surpassing that of mining disasters.

Jen Rubolino, a table games dealer since 2019, expressed how she didn’t initially consider secondhand smoke when she started her casino job.

Although she could work in a non-smoking section due to her inhaler use, it wasn’t straightforward and didn’t entirely eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.

Bill McQuade, from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, testified that no existing air filtration system could reduce the health risks of indoor environmental tobacco smoke to acceptable levels.

The organization advocates a complete ban on indoor smoking to avoid health issues related to tobacco smoke exposure.

While a gaming industry expert suggested that casinos might experience only a temporary revenue decline after a smoking ban, others contended that such a ban would severely impact their businesses.

Greg Fox, co-owner of an online cigar retailer and wholesaler, emphasized the importance of smoking for assessing the quality of cigars. He warned that a ban on indoor smoking could force his business to relocate outside of Pennsylvania.

Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer for the American Lung Association, highlighted that when the original Clean Indoor Air Act was passed, it was acknowledged that the law was not the most protective. Lawmakers had promised to revisit the legislation for improvements.

Brown noted that since Pennsylvania implemented its indoor smoking ban with exceptions for casinos, 22 other states have banned smoking in public places, including casinos.

She urged the Health Committee to act promptly to protect all Pennsylvania workers from the well-documented dangers of secondhand smoke.