Kansas casino workers are banding together to clear the air.
They want smoking banned in all state-owned casinos. They say second-hand smoke poses a danger to their health.
“I’d say 10 or 11 a.m., that’s when it starts getting busier and more smokers come in and you get people smoking cigars that you can’t get away from while you’re on the floor,” casino worker Joe Hafley told KWCH News.
Hafley also founded Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, or “CEASE Kansas.” It’s an action group made up of casino dealers and other frontline gaming workers advocating for the permanent elimination of smoking in their workplaces.
Since the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act passed in 2010, most public places have banned indoor smoking. However, casinos are still allowed to have indoor smoking, even though health groups and casino workers have warned against it.
CDC Studied The Benefits of Smoke-Free Casino Air
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has its own way of tracking potential health hazards in gaming places. The CDC’s State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System monitors three types, including:
- Casinos
- Racinos (racetrack casinos)
- Bingo Halls
The STATE system doesn’t include gaming on Native American reservations or facilities that only have slots or card games, even if they call themselves casinos or racinos. It also doesn't track smoking rules in places like sports betting sites or off-track betting (OTB) facilities.
STATE references a study on Pennsylvania casinos that revealed that 50% of the casinos sampled had air pollution levels known to cause cardiovascular disease after only 2 hours of exposure.
CDC researchers say there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, and even short exposure can lead to serious, potentially deadly health problems. They add that 16 million American adults live with a disease caused by smoking cigarettes. And researchers with the American Heart Association say nonsmokers who breathe secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25–30%.
Which Casinos Would Be Affected By a Kansas Smoking Ban?
The proposed smoking ban would only affect the four state-owned casinos in Kansas, which include:
- Boot Hill Casino & Resort
- Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
- Kansas Crossing Casino & Hotel
- Kansas Star Casino
Tribal casinos would not be affected by this legislation.
Casino Smoking Ban Almost Happened This Year
In February 2024, House Bill 2622, which would have banned smoking in state-owned casinos and racetrack gaming facilities in Kansas, did not pass. Casino owners and lobbyists opposed the bill, arguing that a ban would drive customers to states where smoking is allowed.
Some lawmakers thought about setting up smoking and non-smoking areas in casinos, but the American Heart Association said this wouldn't reduce health risks.
CEASE Fighting For New Casino Smoking Ban Legislation
Hafley says CEASE will actively push for a new bill in the 2025 Legislative session, but adds that if it fails again this year, he won't quit.
In his interview with KWCH News he said, "If this bill doesn't pass this year, we will return every year until it succeeds. We’re here to stay."
