Final Minute Modification Leaves the Door Open for Casinos to Proceed Exposing Employee to Harmful Secondhand Smoke
June 18, 2025
Contact: press@no-smoke.org
Windfall, RI—In a unanimous vote, the Rhode Island Senate at this time handed S 0188, which might amend the state’s Public Well being and Office Security Act to make sure that the smokefree protections afforded to each different office prolong to casinos. Sadly, a last-minute modification permits casinos to have a smoking lounge — an enclosed space “together with, however not restricted to, a cigar bar.” This imprecise language would open the door for casinos to proceed forcing staff to work in smoke-filled areas. Furthermore, the invoice would delay implementation of smokefree protections for 18 months, giving the on line casino business ample time to drag strings to repeal the invoice.
Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights, issued the next assertion:
“Again and again, the on line casino business and large tobacco have labored to undermine and weaken the foundations that shield individuals from the lethal affect of secondhand smoke. Smoking lounges and cigar bars are smoking sections by one other identify. Will gaming be allowed in these lounges? Will staff be made to take shifts or pour drinks? What assurance do the working individuals who have been calling for smokefree protections for years have that this modification received’t fully undermine the invoice they’ve fought so laborious for?
“There isn’t a protected stage of secondhand smoke publicity. Smoke drifts out of even essentially the most fastidiously cordoned-off areas, and air flow might masks odors however doesn’t mitigate well being dangers. We applaud the efforts of Senator Sosnowski and Senate Majority Chief Ciccone to make progress in Rhode Island—however nobody ought to have to decide on between their well being and a paycheck. There’s nonetheless time for the Rhode Island Home of Representatives to shut this loophole and make sure that on line casino staff are actually protected against secondhand smoke. We urge legislatures to take away this modification and cross a clear smokefree casinos invoice.”
Background
Tobacco use and secondhand smoke publicity kills practically 500,000 Individuals yearly. Secondhand smoke places adults who don’t smoke liable to coronary coronary heart illness, stroke, and lung most cancers. In line with the CDC, “There isn’t a risk-free stage of secondhand smoke. Even transient publicity could cause quick hurt.”
Research have constantly proven that publicity to secondhand smoke will increase the chance of coronary heart illness, lung most cancers, and respiratory sicknesses. Current analysis by the CDC has affirmed that prohibiting smoking all through everything of an institution is the one efficient method to shield staff from these harms.
Superior air filtration techniques do shield towards the well-established harms of secondhand smoke. In truth, the engineers who design these air flow techniques say they don’t clear up the issue. These engineers, from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), warn that even the most effective filtration and air flow techniques “aren’t efficient towards secondhand smoke” and “can cut back solely odor and discomfort however can not get rid of publicity… There isn’t a presently accessible or fairly anticipated air flow or air cleansing system that may adequately management or considerably cut back the well being dangers of [environmental tobacco smoke] to a suitable stage.”
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Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for practically 50 years, since 1976, to guard everybody’s proper to breathe unhazardous air in workplaces and public locations, from places of work and airplanes to eating places, bars, and casinos. ANR has repeatedly shined a lightweight on the tobacco business’s interference with sound and life-saving public well being measures and efficiently protected 61% of the inhabitants with native or statewide smokefree office, restaurant, and bar legal guidelines. ANR goals to shut gaps in smokefree protections for staff in all workplaces, together with bars, music venues, casinos, and motels. For extra data, please go to and https://smokefreecasinos.org.
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