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A pair of identical bills with the same aim – to curtail smoking in Missouri casinos – have been introduced by lawmakers once again.
The Missouri Indoor Clean Air Act, in the form of House Bill 1618 and House Bill 1901, seeks a ban of smoking in casinos and other facilities where it’s currently allowed, revived from earlier unsuccessful efforts.
According to Joe Hafley, founder and leader of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) in Kansas and Missouri, the bills should be considered “worker protection bills” rather than smoking bans, arguing that casino workers are exposed to secondhand smoke under current casino environments in both states.
Hafley told Fox 2 News in St. Louis that workers, especially those with respiratory conditions, shouldn’t be forced to work where they’re exposed to smoke.
“It’s not just for banning smoking. It’s for protecting workers from secondhand smoke … No one should have to work in secondhand smoke.”
Website lists benefits of smoking ban
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website includes a page detailing the Clean Air Act, covering current limitations in existing statute, and presenting a case for banning smoking in casinos, claiming that it would:
- Attract more customers, as surveys show 75% of regular casino goers want smoke-free casinos
- Protect employees and customers from secondhand smoke
- Reduced legal liability
- Reduce fire risk
- Reduce maintenance and cleaning costs from thirdhand smoke, the toxic residue left behind from tobacco smoke.
Can a balance be found?
Last year when similar efforts were underway, PENN Entertainment VP of Public Affairs Jeff Morris told the Marietta Times that the combination of designated smoking areas and modern air filtration systems struck “a balance between health concerns and customer choice.”
“Ultimately, the marketplace should determine the outcome.”
Casino patrons contacted by Fox 2 had mixed views on the matter. One suggested that smokers should still enjoy the privilege of smoking while gambling.
Another patron saw it differently:
“A lot of us like to go out and gamble. Sometimes it can deter you from gambling because you’re choking on cigarettes, cigars or whatever else they’re smoking inside the casino.”
Lawmakers will have until May 15 to pass the legislation, which Hafley said has bipartisan support.
