This letter appeared in The State-Journal Register on Nov. 19.
Illinois is a smoke-free state, meaning smoking is not allowed in public places, including casinos. Unfortunately, earlier this week an Illinois House of Representatives committee quietly rushed through House Bill 1846, allowing smoking in casinos by exempting them from our smoke-free law.
If Illinois begins to exempt some public places from the smoke-free law, where do we draw the line? Doesn’t every Illinois worker deserve to work in a safe and healthy environment, free of toxins such as secondhand smoke? What about the nonsmokers who would like to enjoy a night at the casino?
The American Heart Association strongly opposes this cynical attack by the gaming industry on a popular and effective public health measure. The casinos are pleading poverty, but while it has yet to be proven that the smoke-free laws have any significant impact on a casino’s bottom line, there is no question that secondhand smoke is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In fact, even a few minutes in a smoky environment can cause a heart attack.
Please ask your state representative to “double down” on your health by voting “no” on House Bill 1846. It is time for the casino industry to consider the health of their workers and patrons and to fold their hand. Illinois’ casino workers and patrons are best served if we keep our smoke-free law intact!
Kathleen L. Grady, PhD, APN,FAAN
Associate professorFeinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University Evanston
Friday, November 19, 2010
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2 comments:
It would be more worthwhile to remove smoking from the states surrounding Illinois to remove gamblers alternatives.
Casinos are hazardous to our wallets, they don't have to be hazardous to our health as well! I, for one, would never again go to a casino that allows smoking. I would, however, enjoy an evening in a non-smoking casino.
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