Anti-Smoking Activists Protest at Pennsylvania Capitol Over Casino Issue
Supporters of smoke-free casinos in Pennsylvania gathered heute am Harrisburg State Capitol, urging legislators to prioritize workers' health by passing a law that would force the state's 17 brick-and-mortar casinos to become smoke-free.
The Pennsylvania chapter of CEASE (Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects) partnered with the United Auto Workers Region 9 union for a rally aimed at promoting pro-worker bills currently sitting in the state's capital building. One measure that gained their support was House Bill 1657, also known as the "Protecting Workers From Secondhand Smoke Act."
Jennifer Rubolino, a table games dealer at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and a co-lead of CEASE in the commonwealth, expressed the importance of legislators taking a stance for workers by eliminating indoor smoking in casinos. "It's not just a moral duty but a smart decision for the state, particularly since 90% of guests do not smoke," she stated.
HB 1657 was introduced by Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) back in September 2023 and has been Frankel's mission to close the casino smoking loophole for several years. In November, the bill passed Frankel's Health Committee with a 13-11 vote, with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing.
Health or Profit?
GOP legislators seem to be siding with the casino lobby, citing concerns that a complete smoking ban would drive gamblers to Atlantic City, where indoor smoking is permitted in some areas. Casinos claim such a ban would reduce earnings and result in job cuts.
Out of the 17 casinos in Pennsylvania, only two - Parx Casino in Bensalem and its sister property, Parx Casino Shippensburg - do not exploit the smoking privilege offered through the state's 2008 Clean Indoor Air Act.
The top-grossing casino in the state, Parx Casino, has been at the top for several years. Smoking proponents claim this is because the casino attracts many nonsmokers in the Philadelphia metro area, while opponents argue it's because smoke-free casinos are favored by the public.
"We've seen the success of smoke-free casinos in this state," Rubolino emphasized.
Rubolino pointed out, though, that even if smoke-free casinos generated less revenue, the importance of clean indoor air workplaces and employees' health should outweigh casino's profits.
"How do you put a price on workers' health? We urge legislators to enact comprehensive smoke-free legislation to ensure that no one has to compromise their health for a paycheck," she concluded.
Extended Session
Pennsylvania's legislative session typically lasts much longer than most states. The lawmaking period for 2024 began on January 2 and will continue through November 30, providing ample time for Frankel's casino smoking bill to reach its goal. Frankel joined forces with CEASE and UAW Region 9 on Tuesday. The UAW represents employees who work directly on casino gaming floors, such as table game dealers, slot attendants, casino hosts, and cage cashiers.
"Unions in Pennsylvania and across the nation have always fought for workers," Frankel said at the rally. "It's not only about wages and benefits. It's also about their health and well-being. That's what we're discussing with the Clean Indoor Air Act."
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