The Demise Card: A Cocktail Server’s Reality About Vegas Smoke
I spent years on the on line casino flooring of Las Vegas, and I’ve seen all of it. However the one factor I can’t shake—the factor that adopted me house and into my physician’s workplace—is the smoke.
As a cocktail server, I didn’t simply stand in a single spot; I navigated each inch of that haze throughout my shift. On this business, we speak about “hospitality,” but we ask our most susceptible employees to be human air filters. From the ground, I’ve watched sellers—lots of them immigrants working double shifts to feed their households—take a lungful of smoke on to the face from a participant who didn’t give them a second thought. As a result of these employees usually communicate little English and have few different choices, they keep quiet. They take the hit. All of us commerce our well being for a paycheck as a result of the home says we’ve to.
I’ve seen the video games administration performs, too. They’ll tuck a “non-smoking” part in a nook with outdated machines that no one needs to play, then use the low income as “proof” that individuals solely need to gamble whereas they smoke. It’s a lie. I’ve been to smoke-free casinos the place the power is excessive and the machines are full. Individuals come to Vegas for the gamble, not the bronchial asthma.
Why does a smoker’s “proper” to a behavior outweigh a employee’s proper to breathe? I’m residing with well being issues at this time due to a selection I by no means made.
It’s time to put this on the poll. Let the residents of Las Vegas vote. Let’s see if the bulk actually needs to maintain poisoning the individuals who make this metropolis run. The deck is at the moment stacked towards the employees—it’s time to stage the enjoying area.
This piece was submitted anonymously for concern of retribution from her former employer.
People for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is continuous the combat for smokefree casinos alongside the courageous members of On line casino Staff In opposition to Smoking Results (CEASE).
Hear from members of CEASE as they speak concerning the results of working in secondhand smoke:
To study extra about ANR’s work and assist the continuing combat for smokefree air for all employees think about changing into a member at this time.
ANR is marking 50 years of advocacy in 2026.
