Casino workers applaud introduction of bill to quash indoor smoking in Kansas
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WICHITA, Kan. (KCTV) - Casino workers across the Sunflower State have applauded the introduction of a bill that would eliminate smoking on casino floors in Kansas.
Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, an action group in Kansas, gave its stamp of approval on bipartisan legislation introduced on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The move would amend the state’s Indoor Clean Air Act if passed and close a smoking loophole inside casinos.
The Kansas House Committee on Health and Human Services has set a hearing for House Bill 2622 on Feb. 7 to hear testimony.
The group noted that Kansas is 1 of 11 states that still allow residents to smoke inside casinos. The introduction is seen as a positive step toward the alignment of the state with the smoke-free casino trend.
“For too long, casino workers like myself have had to endure the hazardous conditions of secondhand smoke, all in the name of a paycheck,” said Joe Hafley, founder of CEASE Kansas and security worker for Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. “It’s not just about the cards, slots and profits; this bill is a beacon of hope for the hardworking people in our industry, signaling that our health and well-being matter. We should not have to choose between our health and a paycheck.”
A report from Las Vegas-based C3 Gaming found that the adoption of smoke-free policies no longer causes a significant drop in gaming revenue and now seems to perform better than those that do allow smoking indoors.
In Nebraska, the group indicated that casinos exceeded the industry’s expectations with $89 million generated in 2023 as a 100% smoke-free environment indoors.
The bill was introduced by Reps. Owen Donohoe (R-Shawnee), David Buehler (R-Lansing), Sydney Carlin (D-Manhattan), Ford Carr (D-Wichita) and Dennis “Boog” Highberger (D-Lawrence).
