Smoke-Free Casinos

Benefits of Smoke-Free Casinos

Attract more customers. Surveys show 75% of regular casino goers want smoke-free casinos.¹
Protect employees and customers from secondhand smoke.
Reduced legal liability.²
Reduce fire risk.³
Reduce maintenance and cleanings costs from thirdhand smoke, the toxic residue left behind from tobacco smoke.⁴

Many city and county smoke-free ordinances exempt casinos, meaning the casinos do not have to follow local smoke-free laws.
The Missouri Clean Indoor Air Act states that no person shall smoke in a public place except in designated areas.
Under this law, public places include workplaces and any indoor space used by the public. However, many workplaces are not protected by the law.
- Exemptions: Bars, taverns, restaurants that seat less than 50 people, bowling alleys and billiard parlors.
Designated smoking areas must be 30% or less of the entire space.⁵

Workers at casinos are forced to choose between a paycheck and long term exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Long term secondhand smoke exposure increases lung cancer risk by 20-30%.⁶
Customers who visit casinos without smoke-free policies.
- Short term exposure to secondhand smoke can strain the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk for heart attack,⁶ trigger asthma attacks.⁷
- Short term exposure to secondhand smoke can change the body’s cells in a way that sets the cancer process in motion.⁶
Ventilation systems, barriers, and separate smoking areas do not protect people from secondhand and thirdhand smoke.⁷

Use the tools on this page to implement a smoke-free policy at your casino.
Talk to casino management about adopting a smoke-free policy.
Educate your community leaders and business owners about the benefits of smoke-free laws and policies that protect all employees and customers at all worksites.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 14). Going Smokefree Matters: Casinos.
American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. (2023). Legal Requirements to Protect Nonsmokers. American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation | no-smoke.org.
Leistikow, B. N., Martin, D. C., & Milano, C. E. (2000). Fire injuries, disasters, and costs from cigarettes and cigarette lights: a global overview. Preventive medicine, 31(2 Pt 1), 91–99.
American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. (2023). Business Costs in a Smoke-Filled Environment. American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation | no-smoke.org.
Missouri State Clean Indoor Air Law, Section 191.769. (1992, August 28).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 1). Health Problems Caused by Secondhand Smoke.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2006). The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health.
Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 14). Going Smokefree Matters: Casinos.