November 9, 2022
Contact: press@no-smoke.org
During National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Legislators Have an Opportunity To Act
Popular, Bipartisan Legislation in New Jersey & Rhode Island Would Mark a Tangible Achievement in Protecting Residents’ Health
Berkeley, CA— In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, issued the following statement:
“This National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize the tireless work by so many to research, treat and prevent the leading cause of cancer deaths in our country. Unfortunately, casinos remain one of the last remaining public spaces where indoor smoking is allowed, leaving thousands of casino workers to deal with the harmful chemicals and health problems associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the CDC, casino workers’ risk of developing lung cancer increases by as much as 30% due to the fact that they’re exposed to secondhand smoke at work.
“Despite the lack of smokefree policies in too many casinos, much progress has been made to bring casinos up to speed and establish healthy work environments that do not leave their workforce at risk of developing cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. More than 150 Tribal casinos and 21 states have adopted smokefree policies and we continue to call on legislators in Rhode Island and New Jersey to pass their pending legislation to close the casino smoking loophole. No one should be forced to choose between their health and a paycheck. That is why we’re continuing to fight for these policies and we look forward to the day that casino workers can earn a living without being exposed to secondhand smoke and risking their lives.”
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ABOUT AMERICANS FOR NONSMOKERS’ RIGHTS
Americans for Nonsmoker’s Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for 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://no-smoke.org/ and https://smokefreecasinos.org/.