Iowa Health Advocates Push for Smoking Ban in Casinos

By Jerry Smith Staff Writer Updated: 04/03/2021

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Smoking Ban in Casinos

It is reported that health advocates in Iowa are pushing for a complete smoking ban in the state’s casinos. Officials want this as part of a push to improve safety in the workplace for workers and for patrons, many of whom are subjected to second-hand smoke from those who light up when visiting casinos in the area.

While there is a law dating back to 2008 that prohibits smoking in public areas, casinos are currently exempt from this. So, those who work in casinos or visit these venues are still vulnerable to the smoke from those who smoke on the gaming floor.

Temporary Bans in Place Due to Pandemic

At present, many casinos, including all of the tribal casinos in the state, have temporarily banned smoking inside because of the global pandemic. However, health officials fear that as the situation improves and restrictions are lifted, casinos will start allowing smoking again inside the venues.

Many are keen for the ban at these venues to become permanent to provide protection and to safeguard those inside the casinos. This has been a concern for many years, but some now believe that it has become more urgent and needs to be addressed as a priority.

Stacy Frelund, who is the Iowa government relations director for the American Heart Association, said:

We have had casino workers in the past reach out to our coalition about having to be exposed to second-hand smoke. In this time that we’re in right now, it only makes sense to provide health to all of our workers throughout the state.

Frelund confirmed that talks are currently taking place that would see the bill being introduced in this session to get the laws regarding smoking in casinos changed.

Concerns Among Casino Operators

Previously, many of the commercial casinos in the state were against a smoking ban inside the venues because they believed it would have a negative impact on custom. Some argued that many people were far less likely to visit if they could not light up on the gaming floor.

However, according to Frelund, a lot of younger people are now accustomed to places being non-smoking venues, and this means that the impact would be minimal. She said that casinos needed to support the move if they wanted to stay relevant, adding that it was the most viable move for all concerned in the long run.

With casinos across the state and the country having experienced a terrible year due to the global pandemic, many will be nervous about a smoking ban being brought in. However, health officials have said that it is vital to do this in order to protect employees and other patrons from being exposed to toxic second-hand smoke.

In the meantime, the American Heart Association also wants electronic cigarettes and vapes to be covered by the smoke-free ban. A lot of people have now turned to these in place of cigarettes. However, these could also end up being banned as part of the new plans being put forward by health advocates.