Employees at State-Owned Casinos in Kansas Push for Smoking Ban

Article by : Erik Gibbs Oct 8, 2024

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A group of Kansas residents, including casino workers, is pushing for legislation to ban smoking in state-owned casinos. While public smoking bans have been enacted across many industries and venues, casinos remain one of the few places in Kansas where indoor smoking is still permitted. Advocates argue that non-smokers are being unfairly exposed to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, particularly those who work in these environments.

Leading the charge are local advocates and employees of state-owned casinos, like Joe Hafley, who has worked as a security guard at one of the four state-owned casinos for nearly seven years. Hafley, who says he’s had enough of dealing with secondhand smoke on a daily basis, is among those advocating for a change in policy.

Research underscores the seriousness of the issue. A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that after only two hours of exposure in half of the casinos sampled, air pollution levels reached heights known to cause cardiovascular disease. The CDC also emphasized that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, with even brief contact posing serious health risks, including potentially deadly complications.

Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and nearly 70 that can cause cancer. Advocates for the proposed legislation believe that while individuals who choose to smoke are aware of the associated risks, non-smokers who are required to work in these environments do not have the same level of choice. “People who smoke know what they’re getting into, but it’s unfair that non-smokers on the gaming floor are involuntarily exposed to this every day,” said one advocate.

The push for this legislation is aimed specifically at the four state-owned casinos in Kansas: Boot Hill Casino & Resort, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, Kansas Crossing Casino & Hotel and Kansas Star Casino. The proposed smoking ban would not extend to tribal casinos, which operate under different regulations. If passed, the law would make the state-owned venues smoke-free, ensuring a healthier environment for workers and patrons alike.

Despite the growing movement to prohibit smoking in state-owned casinos, there has been no public response from the casino operators. Local news outlets, including KSNT, reached out to the four state-owned casinos for comment, but none have responded thus far.

The movement is expected to gather momentum as advocates prepare to present their case in the upcoming 2025 Kansas Legislative session. Those supporting the proposed legislation are hopeful that lawmakers will take the health risks posed by secondhand smoke seriously and bring the casinos in line with other public spaces in Kansas where smoking has long been banned.