Smoking ban advocates reach out to casino company shareholders
Two organizations have approached Bally’s and Boyd Gaming to address concerns during an annual meeting.
A Michigan health system and a national non-smoking group have joined a growing list of advocates who oppose smoking in casinos, according to an Associated Press report.
Both organizations have enlisted the help of investors by adding shareholder proposals to two major gambling companies’ annual meeting agendas.
According to the Associated Press report, a third will likely be added.
Trinity Health and the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation are asking these gambling companies to “study potential financial benefits of going smoke-free at their casino properties.”
Bally’s Corporation and Boyd Gaming shareholders are expected to vote on the proposals during this year’s round of annual meetings, according to the local report.
Non-smokers group President Cynthia Hallett noted that shareholders might not be aware of how many casinos still allow smoking within their facilities.
She commented further to the Associated Press, “Many shareholders will be surprised to learn that these casino companies still allow indoor smoking, even in the year 2024, and that the policy is harming the very workers who were instrumental in the companies generating billions of dollars in revenue in 2023.
“If casinos will not do the right thing on their own, then we will continue to explore every avenue to protect the well-being of workers and patrons.”
In related news, the New Jersey Senate Health Committee recently approved a bill that would implement an Atlantic City casino smoking ban.
Atlantic City casino employees have worked for several years to put a smoking ban in place.
Indoor smoking has been banned in New Jersey since 2006. However, the current laws on the books make room for smoking in casinos and in simulcasting facilities, an allowance casino employees have pushed back against for more than three years.
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