Statewide Iowa (RI) — A state legislator who owns a restaurant in northeast Iowa says the odds are good that a bill to ban smoking in state-licensed casinos passes the Iowa House this year.
Republican Representative Shannon Lundgren of Peosta says thousands of casino employees are exposed daily to second-hand smoke, something she experienced years ago when she was sales manager for casinos in Iowa and Illinois.
Mary Earnhardt is executive director of the Iowa Gaming Association, which represents the state-licensed casinos.
Earnhardt says if the bill passes, smoking could continue at the four Native American casinos, which are not regulated by the state.
Therese Harms is a lobbyist for Clean Air for Everyone Iowa, a coalition of groups that support the casino smoking ban. She says 20 states have taken the step to end smoking on the gaming floor.
The bill cleared a House subcommittee this morning. It failed in a Senate subcommittee last week.
KIWA Staff Photo
