Casino employees across the country continue to face serious health dangers due to prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke in their workplaces. Despite mounting scientific evidence proving the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, many casinos still allow smoking on their gaming floors, putting workers at risk of life-threatening illnesses every day.
Secondhand smoke contains over 250 toxic chemicals, including many that are known to cause cancer. It is also linked to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, and strokes. For casino workers, who spend long shifts surrounded by cigarette and cigar smoke, the health consequences are dire.
According to studies, casino workers have nicotine levels up to 300% higher than those of employees in other workplaces that permit smoking. This dangerous exposure translates to significantly increased risks of lung cancer and chronic heart and lung diseases.
The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2006 report clearly stated that ventilation systems or separating smokers from nonsmokers cannot fully eliminate the harmful exposure to secondhand smoke. The report concludes that conventional air cleaning technologies fail to remove all the poisons and toxins present in smoke, meaning that employees continue to breathe in these dangerous substances regardless of any air filtration attempts.
Why Casinos Are Still Exempt from Smoking Bans
While many states and cities have enacted comprehensive indoor smoking bans, casinos often remain exempt. Industry advocates claim that smoking bans in casinos could harm business revenues and jobs. However, multiple public health studies contradict this claim, showing that smoke-free policies improve workers’ health without negative impacts on the business side.
For example, in Wisconsin, the introduction of a statewide smoke-free law saw a significant improvement in the respiratory health of bar workers, without any lasting damage to the hospitality industry. Similarly, public support for smoke-free casinos is strong, with polls in states like New Jersey indicating that around 70% of residents favor banning smoking inside casinos.
Advocates Push for Change: Protecting Casino Workers
Groups such as Casino Employees Against Smoking’s Effects (CEASE) have been campaigning to close the loopholes that allow smoking in casinos. They emphasize that these exemptions are outdated and fail to protect workers from a well-known occupational hazard.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes exposure to secondhand smoke as a preventable workplace hazard. However, without comprehensive smoke-free laws applying to casinos, workers remain vulnerable to illnesses caused by toxic smoke exposure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also highlights the importance of protecting workers by enforcing smoke-free workplace policies, stating that eliminating indoor smoking is the only effective way to prevent secondhand smoke-related health issues.
Economic and Social Implications
Opponents of smoke-free casino policies often cite economic concerns, fearing loss of customers who smoke. However, evidence shows that smoke-free environments can attract more non-smoking customers and create healthier, more welcoming spaces for all patrons.
From a social perspective, protecting casino workers from harmful smoke exposure is an issue of fairness and public health. Casino employees do not choose to be exposed to hazardous smoke; they deserve safe workplaces where their health is not compromised.
The Road Ahead: Legislative Action Needed
Lawmakers are urged to revisit and update existing clean air laws to include casinos, ensuring all workers receive equal protection from the dangers of tobacco smoke. Enacting comprehensive smoke-free policies for casinos aligns with broader public health goals and worker safety standards.
Given the overwhelming evidence about the dangers of secondhand smoke, continued exemptions for casinos represent a gap in workplace health protections that must be closed for the sake of the thousands of workers exposed every day.
