Penn Entertainment’s worforce want casinos to be 100 per cent smoke-free
With Penn Entertainment shareholders preparing to vote next week on a resolution requesting the company evaluate the business benefits of going smoke-free, workers at Penn released an open letter urging CEO Jay Snowden to commit to a 100 per cent smoke-free indoor policy at all Penn casinos.
“We are part of a growing national movement of casino workers who believe we should not have to choose between our health and our jobs,” said Joe Hafley, security officer at Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and founder of CEASE Kansas. “The health risks are undeniable. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. According to the CDC, nearly 41,000 non-smoking adults die each year in the U.S. due to exposure. No other industry allows this level of preventable harm to its workforce.
Secondhand smoke is a proven health hazard, and no ventilation system can make it safe. According to the US Surgeon General, even short-term exposure is harmful. A 2023 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health confirmed that levels of harmful particulate matter (PM2.5) in casinos that allow smoking far exceed EPA standards. Moreover, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) — the engineers who design ventilation systems — is clear: “there is no currently available or reasonably anticipated ventilation or air cleaning system that can adequately control or significantly reduce the health risks of [environmental tobacco smoke] to
an acceptable level.”
“Penn workers, guests, and even your non-smoking patrons are being needlessly exposed to
these toxic conditions. The business case for going smokefree is strong — and growing stronger. Overall, only 11 per cent of Americans now report being regular smokers, and a full 75 per cent of American adults — including frequent casino patrons — support smokefree policies, according to the Surgeon General. In markets like Maryland and Massachusetts, where smokefree casinos are the norm, revenues have remained strong and consistent. A 2023 report from C3 Gaming titled “Evaluation of Post-Pandemic Non-Smoking Trends in US Casinos” found, “Data from multiple markets clearly indicate that banning smoking no longer causes a dramatic drop in gaming revenue. In fact, non-smoking properties appear to be performing better than their counterparts that continue to allow smoking.”
“The benefits extend beyond the bottom line: lower cleaning costs, reduced fire risk, decreased
HVAC maintenance, and lower insurance premiums. Momentum is clearly shifting. In Kansas, bipartisan bills have been introduced to make casinos smokefree. Missouri and Iowa are advancing similar measures. Rhode Island momentum for closing the casino smoking loophole is growing as well. And in New Jersey, a fierce worker-led campaign continues to push for change in Atlantic City. We are not alone — and we are not going away.”
“Next week, shareholders will vote on a resolution calling on Penn Entertainment to examine the business benefits of going smokefree. As casino workers who live this reality every day, we believe the evidence is already clear: protecting your workers and modernizing your casino environments is not just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do. We urge you to act now and lead the industry in protecting health, respecting workers, and delivering on Penn Entertainment’s stated commitment to corporate responsibility.”
