Crucial meeting in Pennsylvania slated as smoke-free casinos bill advances

Article by : Charles Perrin Nov 9, 2023

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Pennsylvania could well see smoke-free casinos materialize in the future, with significant strides made on that front.

Currently, Allegheny County Democratic Rep. Dan Frankel has been drumming up support for House Bill 1657, which is also referred to as the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act.

Indeed, this bill is designed to create a safer and healthier atmosphere within the confines of Pennsylvania casinos. It will also challenge certain loopholes that have been exploited to date in the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008.

Crucially, a health committee meeting for the hearing of HB 1657 has been slated for November 15 having successfully negotiated the initial stages.

This will represent the fourth step in the process, and there will be 25 committee members in attendance, which will be composed of 14 Democrats and 11 Republicans.

At this point, there will be an opportunity to make amendments to or revise the bill, and this will be voted on individually.

Nevertheless, HB1657 has become a personal crusade for Frankel, who remains bullish about its prospects.

Speaking recently, he said: “I’m totally certain the bill will come out of committee with an affirmative vote and I’m pretty certain that we will have bipartisan support.

“It may not be unanimous, but we will have bipartisan support.”

In terms of a timeframe, things remain a little up in the air at the moment. However, Frankel is hoping to have a concrete draft on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk ready for approval by March or April.

Moreover, Frankel will reinforce in the bill that having a smoke-free environment will be beneficial for employees as well as patrons who pass through the doors.

Those who don’t wish to abide by the proposed new rules outlined in the bill can of course smoke within their own home playing at online casinos.

Frankel has tried to pass a smoke-free bill in the past, but to no avail, with casinos expressing concerns that it would lead to a drop in revenues.

Something, however, feels slightly different this time, and the upcoming meeting could be a seminal moment in the bill’s story.