TOPEKA ( KSNT ) – A group of Kansans are pushing for new legislation to get rid of smoking in state-owned casinos this week.
Casinos are one of the last few places in Kansas where you can smoke inside. Local advocates and casino workers are petitioning to make changes on this policy as they argue that people who smoke know the risks of the activity but non-smokers on the gaming floor are unfairly impacted.
A study conducted by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) found half of the casinos sampled had air pollution levels known to cause cardiovascular disease after only two hours of exposure. The CDC said there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke with even brief exposure resulting in health complications that can be deadly.
Joe Hafley works security at one of Kansas’ state casinos. After working there for nearly seven years, Hafley and others are saying they’ve had enough.
“I’m tired of dealing with secondhand smoke while I work,” Hafley said. “I love my job but would rather not deal with that every day. When I’m at the door, I’ve had people blow smoke in my face. You can’t get away from it.”