Vegas to Butt Out

by Bodog Casino | Feb 24 2010

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You don't hear much about secondhand smoke issues in public venues anymore because businesses have finally caught on and have done what is necessary to clean up their air.

Unfortunately Las Vegas, Nevada still seems to be stuck in the past.

While most places in North America have become smoke free, Vegas is fighting tooth and nail to protect its casinos from smoking bans. Even if secondhand smoke has directly affected their staff.

60-year-old former slot manager Cheryl Rose got lung cancer in 2008 from working with secondhand smoke for 20 years, now she's trying to ensure Vegas finally butts out.

"God gives each of us a purpose in life," she says. "I'm someone who can't stand by and not do what I can to help. People are afraid for their jobs and they're afraid to take risks. I want to be an advocate for people who are afraid to speak up for themselves."

Because many gamblers smoke, the gaming industry has stated that smoking is good for Nevada's economy, but the American Lung Association also says that's the reason why obstructive pulmonary disease kills at a higher rate in the state.

And Rose won't be getting much help from courts either. The state Legislature don't want clean up casinos because a good relationship with gaming owners is integral to Vegas' economy.

Even Rose admits that she thought at the time the ends justified the means. "When you're working in the casino industry you're not focused on health issues. You're focused on the bottom line," she explains.

Vegas hasn't completely ignored the problem. Some of Las Vegas' newest resorts have spent millions of dollars on filtration systems that suck up smoke and pump in fresh, scented air. These casinos are noticeably less smoky than older ones with cheaper systems.

Also, casinos actually informs its workers that they will be working in a smoke-filled environment before hiring.

That being said, no matter how much they try to compromise more and more of their own employees want smoke out of the casino completely.

Jay Edelson, a lawyer who represents a dealer who is suing the casino she works for, says more and more employees are lining up for his services.

"I've been getting calls from people across Las Vegas and Atlantic City. These suits are not going to go away ... There will be others after them willing to go the distance against these powerful forces."

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