Casino Employees in Rhode Island Demand Implementation of Smoking Restriction
Rhode Island Casino Workers Demand Ban on Indoor Smoking
Workers at Rhode Island's casinos have renewed their call for a ban on indoor smoking, advocating for a change in the state's long-standing exemption for gambling establishments. A coalition of unions, comprising approximately 150 employees, presented their case before lawmakers this week.
For the fourth year in a row, Representative Teresa Tanzi has introduced legislation to close the loophole in Rhode Island's smoking law that currently permits casinos to allow smoking. Tanzi expressed her sentiment at the rally, stating, "For the last 20 years, there has been a grave injustice happening in our casinos. These are our workers who are there day in, day out - they're doing a service for our state."
Despite the bill's increasing support, it has yet to make it to the House floor for a vote. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has signed on as a co-sponsor, offering a glimmer of hope for those advocating for the change. However, the bill remains stalled in the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone III, who chairs the committee on labor and gaming, continues to oppose the proposal.
Ciccone suggests instead expanding non-smoking areas within the casinos as a compromise. He commented, "If anything looks fruitful, we'll set up another meeting with everyone again. Hopefully we'll get closer."
Not all workers are supportive of this compromise, with many expressing concerns about the impact on their health and safety. Vanessa Baker, a gaming supervisor at Bally's Lincoln, criticized the current policy, saying, "The Rhode Island casinos are allowing the safety and wellbeing of their employees and patrons at risk and showing that their employees are expendable."
The issue has gained attention beyond Rhode Island's borders, with similar debates unfolding in other states, such as New Jersey. There, a proposal reached the Supreme Court after multiple appeals. Meanwhile, shareholders are pushing companies like Caesars Entertainment, Bally's Corp., Wynn Resorts, Boyd Gaming, and Penn Entertainment to consider the potential benefits of smoke-free casinos.
The ongoing push for a smoking ban at Rhode Island's casinos continues, with workers hoping for significant progress in the coming legislative session.
- As the push for a smoking ban at Rhode Island's casinos continues, some are turning their attention to casino trends, advocating for the adoption of smoke-free casino cultures, similar to what is being discussed in states like New Jersey.
- In light of the ongoing debate, casino personalities are faced with the responsibility of promoting responsible gambling, not just in terms of managing financial losses but also in promoting the health and wellbeing of their workers.
- Discussions about gambling trends increasingly focus on the importance of responsible gambling, with many hoping that a shift towards smoke-free casino environments could signal a broader commitment to the wellbeing of employees and patrons alike.
