Legislators Maintain Listening to To Ban Smoking Inside Pennsylvania Casinos

Allegheny County Democratic Rep. Dan Frankel hosted a listening to and press convention earlier this week in Harrisburg relating to the difficulty of smoking inside Pennsylvania casinos.

On line casino staff from Pennsylvania, who’re additionally a part of On line casino Staff Towards Smoke Results (CEASE), gave testimonies in entrance of legislators.

The Clear Indoor Air Act of 2008 had banned smoking in lots of indoor institutions. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania casinos fell underneath an exemption.

PA on line casino smoking ban listening to carried out this week

Members of CEASE testified in entrance of the Pennsylvania Home Well being Committee in help of Frankel’s Home Invoice 1657. The invoice would shut the loophole of the Clear Indoor Air Act of 2008 within the following institutions:

• Pennsylvania casinos
• Non-public golf equipment
• Dwelling day care facilities
• Motels
• Veterans of Overseas Wars (VFW) bars
• Bars that don’t serve meals (or 15% of gross sales or fewer is from meals)

Frankel addressed the media after the listening to. He mentioned:

“We had a really productive listening to at the moment and I really feel certain that we’re on the trail to creating sturdy, bipartisan laws that protects our staff in order that they don’t seem to be put within the unimaginable place of selecting between a paycheck and their well being.”

Whereas on line casino workers from CEASE proudly spoke up, on line casino executives obtained a number of invites to attend. Nevertheless, nobody confirmed up.

“That they had the chance to return right here and defend their selections that permit and allow smoking, they usually declined,” Frankel mentioned. “What does that say about your place should you solely advocate for it in secret behind closed doorways?”

Rivers On line casino Pittsburgh worker takes on management position in combat towards smoking

Jen Rubolino modified careers in 2019 and have become a desk video games supplier at Rivers On line casino Pittsburgh. She initially didn’t know find out how to play desk video games, however obtained the correct coaching, and now offers Blackjack Mississippi Stud and Three-Card Poker.

“I’ve by no means actually been an workplace particular person. I prefer to entertain folks, I’m a people-person,” Rubolino advised PlayPennsyvlania.

Throughout Rubolino’s pretty quick stint within the on line casino business, she’s already making a major influence. She’s an administrator for the CEASE PA and testified in entrance of the well being committee earlier this week. It’s one thing she didn’t see coming.

“I used to be doing my very own networking previous to CEASE,” Rubolino mentioned of her position to attempt to ban indoor smoking. “And one factor led to a different. I didn’t know I’d find yourself on this spot.”

It’s an vital place for Rubolino to be in. She is the voice of so many on line casino staff wishing to work in a clear atmosphere.

Rubolino loves her job as a desk video games supplier, however has typically puzzled if she will be able to keep within the business.

“I needed to go to my physician to get a non-smoking lodging as a result of in any other case, I used to be going to must give up,” she mentioned.

Rubolino famous that she solely works in non-smoking sections. Nevertheless, the publicity to smoke doesn’t go away. It has been confirmed that the on line casino’s air air flow programs will not be efficient.

Rubolino’s story proves Frankel’s message of selecting between a paycheck and your well being.

Smoking inside Pennsylvania casinos hits near dwelling for worker

Rubolino needed to get lodging from her physician due to earlier respiration points she’s had previously. Rubolino’s mom additionally handed away in 2015 due to Continual Obstructive Pulmonary Illness (COPD).

“That is my calling now at this level,” Rubolino mentioned. “I need to save different folks from being on oxygen. I do know she’d be happy with me.”

Rubolino mentioned she may need to decide on her employment if the case continues to pull on. She advised PlayPennsylvania what her testimony consisted of in entrance of the well being committee:

“On line casino patrons aren’t the one ones playing. On line casino staff are, too, as a result of they’re playing with their well being. We must always have recent air like the opposite companies within the Clear Indoor Air Act of 2008.”

Rubolino, as are numerous different PA on line casino workers, are searching for an answer as quickly as attainable.

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