New Attempt from PA Lawmakers to Ban Smoking in Casinos

A push to clear the air in Pennsylvania’s public spaces took a major step forward this week. Earlier this week, the state House Health Committee gave the green light to a bill that would ban smoking in casinos, bus stops, and other places that were previously exempt from indoor smoking restrictions.

The proposal, called the Protecting Workers From Secondhand Smoke Act, would, therefore, alter Pennsylvania’s 2008 Clean Indoor Air Act, which initially set a series of exceptions, including casinos, private clubs, and some bars. This left thousands of workers exposed to secondhand smoke. The new measure seeks to close those gaps and also cover e-cigarettes, which were not up for debate in 2008.

Bill Sponsor Frankel: “Only 2 in 10 Pennsylvanians Smoke” 

For Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, who sponsored the bill, the issue comes down to health and fairness. “Only 2 in 10 Pennsylvanians smoke at this point — and going out in Pennsylvania shouldn’t feel like taking a time machine to a long-gone era before the science made clear that smoking was deadly,” he said.

However, if approved, the new measure would not completely prohibit smoking, as cigar bars, outdoor patios, and private home offices would still allow it. This could also be true for private clubs, with the mention that members and staff would need to vote to renew the decision every two years.

The measure, approved by the Health Committee on a 22-4 vote with backup from both parties, would also give cities and towns the opportunity to pass even tougher smoke-free laws, a recommendation that has public health advocates have been heavily lobbying for in recent years.

PA lawmakers also gave a crushing 25-1 vote to an amendment that would add bus stops to the list of places where smoking would no longer be allowed. The bill is now headed to the full House, though it’s not clear when a floor vote will happen. 

“A Blackjack Dealer’s Lungs Deserve the Same Protection”

Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, has already introduced a companion bill in the Senate, as a way of giving the measure another path forward.

For Frankel, the message is simple: “There’s nothing bipartisan about this. Democrats and Republicans agree that a blackjack dealer’s lungs deserve the same protection as an office worker’s.”

The proposal, which could gain momentum during debates in the upcoming weeks, would also focus on casinos like Parx Casino in Bucks County, the state’s most profitable gambling establishment, which banned smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since retained the measure. 

According to chief operating officer Marc Oppenheimer, their call considerably improved the morale of employees, cut healthcare costs, and drew in a larger number of patrons interested in smoke-free venues. 

If passed, the legislation would align the other casinos in the state with Parx’s bold policy.