Temporary Smoke-Free Casino Laws Made Permanent



Lake J. Seymour


Seymour, Lake J.1
Faculty / Advisor: Gluch, Joan1
Advisor/Community Preceptor: Cary, Brad2, Bonner, Alex3
1University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 
Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, Division of Pediatric Dentistry
2American Heart Association, Pennsylvania Government Relations
3Breathe Free Pennsylvania, Advocacy

Description

The community was officially the American Heart Association, however, student interns worked specifically with the Breathe Free Pennsylvania Coalition, which aims to spread awareness of the harmful effects of first, second, and thirdhand smoke through testimonials of casino workers in order to advocate for casinos to go smoke-free.

Project Overview

The Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) requires that all indoor and public workplaces be smoke-free, however, excluded from this act are certain venues. Casinos, among other private clubs in Pennsylvania are not required to implement smoke-free laws. The goals of this Bridging The Gaps project were to help raise awareness as to how pungent the issue of secondhand smoke is in these exempt locations. Additionally, information was spread about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on both cardiovascular health and oral health.

Outcome

Through the main project of anonymously interviewing casino workers to hear testimonies, BTG students created short public service announcement videos to further spread necessity of transforming the temporary smoking ban into a permanent one in Pennsylvania casinos. In response to casinos’ temporary smoking ban, students created graphics highlighting positive comments left on social media by both patrons and workers citing their appreciation for new smoke-free casinos.