Adovcates Applaud This Action

Smokefree Casinos Bill Introduced

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September 2023

After 8 long years, the House Health Committee held a hearing for discussion only on updates to the PA Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA). Rep Dan Frankel has introduced HB1657 with further action expected soon.

The CIAA was signed into law in 2008 extending life-saving protections to some but failing to include hospitality workplaces like bars and casinos. Since that time, the advent and popularity of e-cigarettes continues to burden the state, particularly among young people. The current CIAA does not address use of e-cigarettes in public places making enforcement confusing and renormalizing the act of indoor smoking.

Thousands of workers and patrons are exposed to secondhand smoke in exempted venues including:

• Full-service truck stops
• Tobacco shops
• Tobacco manufacturers, wholesalers, and importers
• Private Clubs
• Cigar bars
• Drinking establishments, including restaurants where food accounts for 20% or less of revenues
• Up to 50% of a casino’s gaming floor

CEASE PA in Action

Inspired by the movement in NJ, casino workers in PA have come together to form CEASE PA. Pennsylvania has a massive gaming market that spans across the state. Workers from Philly to Pittsburgh, and everywhere along the way, are organizing to call on lawmakers to end casino smoking.

No one in Pennsylvania is protected by a 100% smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar law; thousands of employees, patrons, and visitors are exposed to secondhand smoke in these venues. Hospitality and casino workers in Pennsylvania should not have to choose between their jobs and their health. Read more about the people in PA that are left behind in the ANR Foundation report: Bridging the Gap-Status of Smokefree Air in the U.S.: Pennsylvania

We are thankful for Pennsylvania's Veterans and acknowledge their efforts to go smokefree!

 

PRIDE in PA

Recognizing Big Tobacco’s targeting of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBTQ Resource Center took the message of smokefree air to the best pride events in the region to let the community shout it out, "we want smoke-free air" in the places they gather and want to feel out, proud and healthy!

88.8% of PA residents who identify as LGBTQ would be likely to go to a smokefree bar.

94% would be likely to go to a smokefree pride.

Members of the LGBTQ community are important supporters of the movement to ensure all workers and patrons are protected from secondhand smoke.

View the full postcard.

View Smokefree Pride Guide.

Veterans Support Smokefree Air

Pennsylvania State Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Former State Commander Dwight R. Fuhrman said:

Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars Support Smokefree Air
 
"It is time for the state to end the smoking exemption for all facilities licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, including all private clubs. The Pennsylvania VFW wants to improve the health of all veterans, their loved ones, and employees inside our clubs. Removing this exemption for all PLCB license holders will create an even playing field so there won’t be a competitive disadvantage for those clubs that become nonsmoking operations."

If Pennsylvania Goes Smokefree

We'd Save More Lives

perent of us covered by wrbif pa were 100% wrb