House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Workers should enjoy clean air all year long – not just during a pandemic. 
 

I recently circulated a memo garnering support for banning smoking in casinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after that memo was released, the Department of Health and the Gaming Control Board issued guidance requiring Pennsylvania casinos to operate smoke-free. While this is a notable step towards improving public health, state law would allow indoor smoking to resume at casinos once this guidance is rescinded – and this would endanger the lives of nonsmokers and workers who put in a full day’s work in these smoky environments.  
 

The adverse health effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are well-documented and cannot be ignored. According to some estimates, every year 7,000 adults die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke, and many more develop lung cancer that requires lengthy treatment. This is unacceptable, and we should take advantage of every opportunity to improve public health and decrease preventable deaths caused by smoking and secondhand smoke. 
 

Again, workers should enjoy clean air all year long – not just during a pandemic. Please join me in supporting this important public health and worker protection legislation.