Workers need protection offered by Nevada's endangered anti-smoking law
Jump to full article: Sacramento (CA) News & Review, 2009-04-17
Author: Dennis Myers
Intro: "Bar and tavern owners, as well as customers, have expressed anger and confusion over the law since it was enacted," reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal last week.
Owners and customers. Is someone missing from that survey?
"I have to shower--really well, including shampooing--before my wife will let me into bed," says one Sparks Nugget dealer. . . .
"Tourists are in and out," said a Circus Circus worker. "I breathe that stuff all night."
Workers say the state anti-smoking law does them more good than it does customers, who are normally in a casino or restaurant for a relatively short time. Workers are there for a full shift--giving them extended exposure to involuntary inhalation of second-hand smoke.
Studies have shown that second-hand smoke can be a factor in asthma, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome, cancer, stroke and premature death.
But extended exposure to second-hand smoke increases risks. . . .
In one unusual action, public officials opposed the law approved by the public. Officers of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority supported repealing the voter-approved law outright because it bars advertising tobacco products at trade shows as well as prohibits smoking at convention centers.
Casino workers declined to allow their names to be used in speaking for anti-smoking measures because their corporations are lobbying in the other direction. "I wouldn't have a job if they knew," one said. "I just hope the unions are taking this on."
Nevada AFL/CIO lobbyist Danny Thompson said his organization has not taken the issue on in part because it has not been pushed to do so by the membership and in part because members are on different sides of the issue.
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