House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health and the Gaming Control Board issued guidance requiring Pennsylvania casinos to operate smoke-free as part of COVID-19 mitigation. While this restriction on smoking was 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step towards improving public health, state law would allow indoor smoking to resume at casinos once this guidance is rescinded – and this would endanger the lives of nonsmokers and employees who put in a full day’s work in these smoky environments.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, more than 41,000 Americans die every year as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke. This is unacceptable and we should take advantage of every opportunity to improve public health and decrease the number of 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.