The bill that would ban smoking in casinos just passed in the House on a vote of 36-29.

This bill, HB 1269, has received quite a bit of media attention since I first introduced it in the House earlier this session. As chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I feel strongly about this issue primarily as a health concern – most importantly, the health of casino workers, who must be subjected to an unhealthful work environment.

It’s also a matter of leveling the playing field in the gaming industry. The smoking ban passed last year affected all other gaming enterprises, such as off-track betting, bingo and racetracks. HB 1269 will merely close the loophole that gave casinos a special exemption.

The bill now goes on to the Senate, where Sen. Ken Gordon is sponsoring it. Stay tuned!

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