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A
short note on AB 159
Hearings were held
before the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on March 1st on
Assembly Bill # 159. The NFGE, who requested the legislation,
testified in favor of the bill, as did many others. There was
STICC --- Stop Tobacco Use In Clark County, along with a host of
health organizations, e.g. Lung Association, Clark County Health
District, etc.
As you know, we are attempting to change the law to require
casinos to provide non-smoking sections within gaming areas. As
expected, Harvey Whittimore was there with bells on representing
the Nevada Resorts Association, weeping that the casinos have
already "balanced" out the problem, whatever that means.
Just ask any dealer who has dealt and breathed that crappy smoke
for eight hours how "balanced" he or she feels. Now we
should get off our collective cans and write an e-mail to
Committee Chairman, BernieAnderson, <banderson@asm.state.nv.us>
and let him know how we feel. The casinos may think the fix is in
on this one but I think we can win it if we make some noise. Do
it! We need a Yes on AB # 159.
Support
for Assembly Bill No. 159
The question is whether casinos should be held to the same
standards on the enforcement of public policy on smoking of
tobacco in public places as others are, or whether they should
enjoy a special and separate set of rules, formulated for them
alone with the assistance of their overpaid lobbyists.
Nevada's present statute permits but does not require
a non-smoking area within the gaming areas of a casino.
Assemblyman Bob Price has presented Assembly Bill 159, at the
request of the National Federation of Gaming Employees and is
scheduled for hearings on March 1st at 8:30 a.m. Nevada time. This
bill will require gaming establishments to provide both smoking
and non-smoking areas within each eating or gaming area of their
establishment.
While this does not make casinos smoke-free, as are
most other places of public congregation in Nevada, it is a step
in the right direction. It does afford our casino's customers the
choice of clean air and gives our casino workers the benefit of at
least a lessening of exposure to second hand smoke and a
measurable improvement in workplace safety.
NRS 202.2491 is the Nevada statute that controls
smoking in public places. From the time when this statute was
first written to the present, casinos have lobbied for and won
exemption from this law. AB 159 will now change the law to remove
that exemption, a change that is long overdue. But to pass we need
your support. We need you to send an e-mail to Assemblyman Bob
Price stating: "YES - AB 159" in the subject window.
<bprice@asm.state.nv.us>
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Please,
do it now --- we need your help to get AB 159 passed! |
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