Casino workers, labor leaders, elected officials and advocates for smokefree casinos rallied ahead of a hearing where the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Finance considered legislation to close the casino smoking loophole. Members of Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), Dealers Union Local 711, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, and public health advocates provided testimony at the hearing in support of S438, legislation to end indoor smoking in Rhode Island casinos and protect the health of workers.

Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights and Vanessa Baker, co-leader of CEASE RI testified before the Senate Committee on Finance in support of S438.

“Casinos are clinging to antiquated business practices and poisoning their frontline workers while catering to a shrinking smoking population,” said Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmoker’s Rights during her testimony before the committee. “This bill is not about smoking vs nonsmoking. This is about fairness and worker health and safety. It’s not every day that lawmakers have the opportunity to pass legislation that can so tangibly improve the lives of thousands of people. S438 is one of those bills.”

Rhode Island casino workers last year launched a local Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) chapter to call on lawmakers to protect their health and close the casino smoking loophole.

#rhodeisland #workerhealth #smokefreecasinos #casinoemployeesagainstsmokingeffects

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