Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Calls on Legislators to Pass HSB 148 and Ensure Equal Protections for Casino Workers
Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa House Committee on Commerce held a hearing today to discuss HSB 148, a bill that would eliminate the casino exemption from the state’s smokefree air law. Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) applauds State Representative Shannon Lundgren for leading the charge by introducing critical legislation, which would close the loophole that allows for the hazardous practice of indoor smoking in casinos and ensure that casino workers and patrons alike can breathe clean, safe air.
Traci Kennedy, Midwest States Strategist for ANR, testified at today’s hearing.
“Casino workers in Iowa have been fighting for their right to clean air for far too long,” said Kennedy. “86% of Iowans are nonsmokers, and yet casinos still cater to the other 14%. Casino workers and patrons deserve to work, dine, and game without putting themselves at risk. HSB 148 will protect workers from a toxic environment that is entirely preventable. The only way for Iowa lawmakers to protect their citizens is to pass HSB 148 and close the casino smoking loophole once and for all.”
Iowa’s smokefree law has protected workers and the public from secondhand smoke for over 15 years — but casino workers have been left behind. ANR urges the House Committee on Commerce to swiftly advance HSB 148 and calls on Iowa lawmakers to protect casino workers’ right to breathe clean air.
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About ANR
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR), sister organization to ANR Foundation, is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for over 45 years, since 1976, to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANR has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANR aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.
