Rally in PA Supports Smoke-Free Casinos amid Legislators Meetings

Smoking inside casinos and the efforts to repeal the activity have been a hot topic across the United States for decades. While some states completely prohibit indoor smoking, in several others, there are loopholes in the regulations that permit smoking on the gaming floor.

Pennsylvania is one of the states where indoor smoking in casinos has caused controversy and many workers and unions have urged for the implementation of a smoke ban. Supporting the smoke ban, an anti-smoking group, unions and workers are set to rally this Thursday.

The rally will gather representatives of the United Auto Workers, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, Rep. Dan Frankel and other stakeholders. The demonstration will be taking place outside of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh where meetings with the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) will be held.

The aforementioned meetings start on Wednesday, July 17, and will continue through Saturday, July 20. By organizing the rally, the group that supports the smoking ban will draw the attention of lawmakers to the negative effects of second-hand smoke.

Rep. Frankel is among the supporters of the smoking ban. Last year, he introduced House Bill 1657, a proposal that called for an amendment of the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 to close the loophole that enables casinos to offer indoor smoking.

An Indoor Smoking Ban Will Protect the Health and Well-Being of Casino Employees

In an interview for PlayPennsylvania, Frankel said that casino workers have endured the negative effects of secondhand smoking for too long, despite the ongoing efforts of anti-smoking groups. “Today, we bring their fight right to the doorstep of the decision makers,” he added.

“Casino workers deserve workplaces free from secondhand smoke—because no one should have to choose between their health and their paycheck.“

Rep. Dan Frankel

Rep. Frankel said that the rally reaffirms the need for lawmakers to implement legislation that prohibits indoor smoking. He outlined that no one should be facing the difficult choice between a paycheck and their health, and this applies to casino workers too.

Finally, Frankel said that the time has come for Pennsylvania “to step up and lead by example, ensuring that our casinos are safe and healthy workplaces for all.”

The rally comes at a time when Frankel’s proposal hasn’t gained much traction. The bill has gone through an amendment back in September and was first considered in the House in November.

However, House Bill 1657 lost its speed after it was removed from the House’s agenda in April. Earlier this month, the proposal was put back on the agenda. Still, it remains unclear whether House Bill 1657 will gain additional speed.