ANR UPDATE, 31(3), Fall 2012
Breathing Space: Don't Buy the Ventilation Lie
In the late 1990's, Philip Morris hatched a strategy to promote ventilation systems and smoking rooms as a way to undermine smokefree laws. The idea was simple: give the appearance that something had been done to address the problem, but without actually creating smokefree environments. The bottom line is that ventilation systems are nothing more than an expensive gimmick when it comes to tobacco smoke. Now, these ventilation tactics are cropping up once again for a new era. That shouldn't be surprising considering that some companies make a killing selling these products.Despite extensive research, there is no known safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke has what's called a "non-linear dose response." Serious negative health effects, especially to the cardiovascular system, occur quickly and even at extremely low levels of exposure. This means that reducing the smoke by 90% doesn't eliminate -or necessarily even reduce - the risk level.
Casino operators often point to ventilation systems or smoking sections as a way to "solve the problem" without actually eliminating the smoking. Advocates need to be clear that sections, rooms, or fancy casino air cleaning systems do not protect workers or the public from the serious health hazards of tobacco smoke.
In its June 2012 issue, Consumer Reports
did a review of air purifier systems that left readers with the false impression
that these products provide health protection from secondhand smoke. Just like
in casinos, air purifier units in homes may reduce odor or irritation associated
with tobacco smoke, but they do not eliminate the health risks to adults and
children. The only way to eliminate the health hazards of secondhand smoke is
with a smokefree environment. We urge ANR members to help educate Consumer
Reports or other groups that imply that these systems provide health protection
from secondhand smoke. Visit our website for more information and resources
on this issue.
From the Front Lines
As advocates and organizers in the smokefree casinos movement we are often contacted by people who work or play in smoky casinos. Here is a sampling of comments received in the past few months from around the country:
"I was just recently in Las Vegas and thought of you and ANR and the hard work of casinos. They are awful! I had to walk through a couple of them to watch shows, and it was horrible. People seemed to be smoking everywhere - even in their cars! Those poor casino workers!" Wendy Hamilton, YRBS/School Health Program Manager, Alaska
"Recently my significant other and I attended the Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. We opted for a nonsmoking room. But, the Casino itself was smoking. We got incredibly ill from the amount of smoke in the casino and feel the ventilation was below standard. In fact my eyes were swelled almost shut the next day; I was so sick. The ability to breathe was hampered and my throat after 4 days is still sore and lung function is lessoned. I lost my mother at 48 to smoking so I know the dangers but I feel that these facilities are more concerned for the big dollar than the amount of lives lost due to the second hand smoke." From "sick in Indiana"
"I support whatever you do concerning smokefree casinos. It is against the employees' health. As a nonsmoking player, I have sent emails to Indiana Grand Casino, formerly Indiana Live in Shelbyville, Indiana but with no reply. When entering the casino, nonsmokers must walk through smoking areas to get to the non-smoking area. Please continue your fight for all the older retired players & the employees." From "senior patron" in Indiana
"This stuff is killing me... what can I do?" From "K" in Las Vegas, Nevada - Vegas casino worker since '95
"I am a nonsmoker working at an Indian casino in Oregon. It's affecting my health. I have to have an inhaler now. There are no jobs out there to even have an alternative. I wish someone out there would help us; I'm not the only one. Nothing is being done about it and we all live in fear if we speak out. I work for minimum wage." From "worker" in Oregon
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