Pennsylvania Set to Vote on Smoking Ban in Casinos

In a significant move, Pennsylvania's House Health Committee is considering House Bill 1657, also known as the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act. This bill seeks to ban all forms of smoking, including electronic cigarettes, in casinos, bars, and private clubs throughout the state. The current exemption under the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act allows casinos to allocate up to half of their gaming area as a designated smoking zone, a provision criticized by many casino employees for exposing them to health risks.

Rep. Dan Frankel, the chair of the House Health Committee, is optimistic about the bill's success. The legislation, if passed, will eliminate the smoking exemption for casinos, bars, and clubs but will still permit tobacco shops to allow indoor smoking. Frankel emphasizes the need for legislation that prioritizes the health of workers, stating that it is time to complete the job initiated fifteen years ago to protect employees from inhaling toxic smoke.

Despite concerns from Pennsylvanian casinos about potential revenue loss due to the smoking ban, supporters argue that Parx's Bensalem casino, which already prohibits smoking, generates more revenue than local competitors. The positive impact on employee morale at Bensalem and Shippensburg casinos, where smoking bans have been implemented, serves as a testament to the potential benefits of the proposed legislation.