Pennsylvania Supports Legislation That Will Ban Smoking Inside Casinos – HB 2298, introduced by Rep. Dan Frankel, will change the Clean Indoor Air Act of Pennsylvania. It will help to close the loopholes that allow companies such as casinos and bars to have the discretion of whether they allow smoking indoors.

A group whose goal is to bring cleaner air to Pennsylvania’s people is pushing lawmakers in the state to permanently ban smoking in casinos.

The Breathe Free Pennsylvania Coalition, which consists of the American Lung Association, The American Heart Association and the American Cancer Association, and other health advocacy groups, supports legislation that would ban the practice.

When casinos reopened after COVID -19, regulators forced operators to do so without allowing smoking inside. The coalition wants it to remain permanent, even after the pandemic is over.

According to a local Fox affiliate, casino workers showed up at the Free Breath Coalition virtual meeting to express similar sentiment and that the workplace environment has improved since the ban was implemented.

“We are all very happy to be here,” said the worker. “I’ve seen people blow smoke in my face when I write the jackpot. I don’t think we should suffer for what other people choose to do with their life. “

There are several legal precedents for enforcing the ban. In 1967, there was an amendment to the state constitution which guaranteed the right to clean air.