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TELL YOUR STORY
Secondhand smoke affects people in every corner of Illinois – inner-city, urban and rural communities. It affects all ages, both genders, all races and ethnic groups. Second hand smoke knows no boundaries. Please consider telling us how secondhand smoke affects you and your family. I used to work downtown waitressing on a casino. I actually had quit because of the way my clothes stunk after work, and my sinus infections were a regular thing. My hands reeked even after washing for at least another day from touching so many ashtrays. The way I see it is when smokers get so angry over those of us who don't want them smoking around us is it would be equivelent to my working in a small cubicle with the smoker. And spraying perfume on myself and him every five minutes. And that perfume made this person very ill, gagging, eyes burn and water up, nose sting, nauseated, and when they left they smelled of it. Clothing saturated of the perfume every day because of my doing so. They really can't think what it is like since to them, it's enjoyable. So when they tell me that there is no proof that second hand smoke is harmful. I think, you don't know how I feel. Rebecca I used to work downtown waitressing on a casino. I actually had quit because of the way my clothes stunk after work, and my sinus infections were a regular thing. My hands reeked even after washing for at least another day from touching so many ashtrays. The way I see it is when smokers get so angry over those of us who don't want them smoking around us is it would be equivelent to my working in a small cubicle with the smoker. And spraying perfume on myself and him every five minutes. And that perfume made this person very ill, gagging, eyes burn and water up, nose sting, nauseated, and when they left they smelled of it. Clothing saturated of the perfume every day because of my doing so. They really can't think what it is like since to them, it's enjoyable. So when they tell me that there is no proof that second hand smoke is harmful. I think, you don't know how I feel. Rebecca I work at the paradice casino. I'm a cocktail server. I've been at the paradice for a little over 3 years. I would not like smoking to come back to the casino. I feel I shouldnt have to be subjected to second hand smoke. My health and the health of my fellow employes is more important. We provide smoking shelters to people who do smoke and that seems to work out well. People who dont want to be around it doesnt have to be. Our general manager tells us time and time again that the smoking ban didn't affect us as far as revenue. Didn't the smoking ban go in affect for Heath issues? So what has changed? Smoking is still bad for your Heath and the people around you.
East peoria, Il I worked at the GVC in the slots department when the smoking ban was still being talked about, The casinos were telling the state that smokers accounted for a large percentage of gamblers, and it was going to cost them a lot of money. With one of my slot managers I personally walked through the sections numerous times counting smokers. The manager counted everybody, and I counted people smoking, people who had cigarettes in their hand but not smoking, people with cigarettes in their shirt pocket, and people who had cigarette packs laying on or near their machine. After we walked through the section, we compared total number of people compared with smokers/people with cigarettes handy. We averaged 15% or less every time. Also, smokers can still go outside and smoke if they want. It is inconvenient for them of course, and they don't want to go out in the cold. They also have to rustle someone up to watch their machine while they are gone - which is another inconvenience. HERE IS A SECRET THE CASINOS DON'T TALK MUCH ABOUT: When smokers have to leave their machine to go out and smoke, THE SPELL IS BROKEN! They check their watch and realize the time. When they are allowed to smoke at the machines, they will sit there for hours, smoking and drinking. They won't even get up to eat, or in some cases go to the bathroom. But when they go outside to smoke, stretch, go to the bathroom, and come out of their trance, many smokers don't stay as long as they normally would when chain smoking at the machine. ALSO - although the smokers we counted were only about 15% of the people in the casino, they were a loud minority. They complained very loudly that they were going to go out of state if they couldn't smoke. They probably also wrote letters and phoned whoever to complain. This loud minority somehow got everybody convinced that the smoking ban accounted for a huge loss of revenue. I'm sure it had some impact, but not to the extent the casinos and smokers are complaining about. Keep in mind that around the time the smoking ban took effect, the housing bubble burst, and the economy was starting to spiral downward. The casinos don't like to mention these factors coinciding with the smoking law. I'm a non-smoker, but if I was king for a day, I would say, let the casinos have their exemption for 3 months. If revenues don't return to the pre-smoking ban levels during those 3 months (which they won't), then put the ban back in place and tell them to stop complaining and let it rest, because it isn't just the smoking that has cost them business. As another person posting has said - ITS THE ECONOMY. People don't have the disposable income they had before 2008 - HELLO !!!
Elgin, IL I'm the spouse of a casino worker-dealer. My spouse has allergies; I have asthma. Bringing smoky clothes to the house will endanger my life and my spouse will be miserable every day with allergies. To think we may go back to smoking will definitely have us in search of a new job for my spouse. My spouse didn't sign a a waiver to put our lives at risk. Job rules are followed, and our health insurance wellness screenings fulfilled....and for what? Second-hand smoke causes cancer, provokes asthma, allergies, throat irritation, bronchitis, emphysema, aggravate migraines, damage gums, increases coughing,.....do we REALLY need to justify having a smoke-free environment? Why is my spouse threatened with higher health insurance premiums if we don't satisfy a silly requirement of wellness checks, when the JOB will be THE ONE aggravating our health? Will the state of Illinois help us pay higher life insurance premiums because my asthma goes out of control? What about my cancer history- if I relapse, can I BLAME and SUE my spouse's job? PLEASE, keep casinos smoke-free!!!!!!!!!! We need the job! Your greed (thinking that it will attract more patrons just because they can smoke) CAN and WILL kill us!
Joliet, IL I work at a local Illinois Casino and I am an RN in the position of a WellNurse. This casino has spent a good amount of their time, energy and money to place me onsite to help educate their workers and to implement programs so that they can become healthier. With this proactive approach there is a reward of win/win for both the employee and employer. The insurance company and casino are rewarded with decreased health costs and significant savings with less lost sick time and increased productivity – however the ultimate benefit goes to the casino workers who are rewarded with the of opportunity for financial savings, better health and an improved quality of life. The majority of the casino employees that I have met with have been excited and very positive in their approach to this opportunity and are working hard to set goals for healthy lifestyle changes and are enthusiastic for the opportunity to receive support in their sincere efforts to become more healthy. Together we work as a team to get our casino employees on their path to lower their blood pressures, bring their cholesterol back into a healthy range and to lose weight with their exercise and healthy eating plans. Those are the happy success stories. But there the sad stories that really break my heart. The majority of the casino employees are non smokers! Many more have recently quit or have set their quit date and are working on their smoking cessation plan - and I can hardly look them in the eye... For I know what could be coming down the pike from Springfield and it is not fair, and borders on immorality and stinks worse than the tobacco smoke that we all as innocent people will be inhaling , causing damage to our health. The scientific data shows that no matter what kind of ventilation systems are in place and no matter how tightly you close a door – there is particulate matter that escapes and irritates lung tissue. Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a health risk, which causes lung cancer and heart disease, exacerbates asthma and causes increased risk for upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Should this bill pass - Springfield will miserably fail the majority of voters and citizens of the State of Illinois and this will begin a cascade of increased expense in costs as well as major health set backs for all Illinois casino workers as well as the patrons who chose to be part of the non smoking population. I emphatically request that our Illinois lawmakers do what is right despite the perceived economic pressures and vote no on these bills.
, IL I am just a person who goes with hsi wife to spend some time being entertained by the games of chance on 5 casinos in our geographical area. Four of these casinos are in Iowa which allows smoking on casino floors. With the exception of Riverside in Iowa, the other three Iowa facilities have progressively worse smoke problems due inadequate ventilation and/or close quarters. The difference are apparent by the eye irritation we suffer and the smell of our clothes when we leave. Jumer's Casino in Rock Island is so much more enjoyable to visit because of the smoke free atmosphere it affords and the pleasures allowed because of this. It's also the busiest of the casinos because more people enjoy this facility due to its clean air. More people are not smokers than not! Thank you.
Moline, IL I pray they do not pass the smoking exemption for the casinos in Illinois. It has been so much better breathing clean air and working in a clean environment. We just had the new casino built and everything is still new and fresh. I don't know what I would do as I need my job, but I will be risking my health again. I suffer from headaches and this will only make them worse. We have never been asked to sign any document saying we would work in a smoking environment or else. I have been there 12 years and really like my job. Most people are happy the smoking is gone. We have outside for them to smoke in a room. Please do whatever it takes so this does not go through. Thanks.
Tinley Park, IL I grew up in smoke. My parents smoked and my younger brother and sister smoked. Both my parents died rather young at 62 and 72, and it was terrible to watch them die of cancer. Now I don't smoke, yet people that smoke blow smoke in my face and hang out by doors to make a cloud of smoke to antagonize me and they call me a liberal and other slander because I choose not to smoke. The best thing Illinois has done for health and our environment has been to ban smoking in public places. Stop the spread of cancer and other respertory ailments, by not allowing smoking to creep back into puclic acceptance. Smoking is a dead end and smoking does not only effect the smoker but those around them, and it has been piteful for me to watch my mom die of cancer. James More I am a casino dealer who has worked in the industry at the same casino for 18 years. I actually cried with relief the day they got rid of smoking at the casino. My body would not take any more smoke being blown in my face. Since we dont have smoking my health has been alot better. I have not been getting bronchitis or sinus infections that much anymore.I can not even believe that people have the power to put a price on our lifes.It seems to me from talking with the patrons, The casinos in illinois like to send their business to Indiana if they own both casinos because they have to pay less taxes there and they offer much better comps to their customers when they go to because they pay less taxes there.Plus the economy also got bad at the same time the smoking ban was put into effect. I pray that someone stops this from happening. We all need our jobs and we dont have a choice to quit woeking there. We have people who depend on us.
joliet, il Going to an Illinoi casino has become one of my favorite 'entertainment' activities for a weekend getaway since Smokefree Illinois has been established. I regularly travel to the Quad Cities and St. Louis area and I always choose the casinos on the Illinois side of the borders for the smokefree environment. I also travel to Peoria and Joliet for the gaming fun. This would likely stop entirely if the Act was weakened in any way and my entertainment dollars would go elsewhere!
Champaign, IL I have been a dealer for 16 years and ever since we went smoke free in casinos, I feel a lot better. I used to get real sick every year and I was always tired. Now; I have more energy, I do not stinky ( smoke) anymore, I do not have people blowing smoke in your face while trying to do my job. In general; work place is a lot better since there is not smoking allowed. I can not believe there are people that would want smoking back. It is terrible for your health, specially for those who do not smoke. Apparently they do not care about us or our health. They are only concern about making more money now. Of course; since they do not have to put up with it. It is very easy to pass laws when they do not affect you. Bottom line; I am totally again smoking in casino, bar, restaurant or any other public facility. It is an invasion of your privacy when someone makes smoke a second hand smoke. Smoke kills everybody!!!
Elgin, IL I'm a dealer at the Grand Vicoria Casino. I can't tell you the number of customers who are excited to be smoke-free,even some who are smokers themselves. The state wanting to repeal the smoking ban for casinos because revenue is down is ridiculous. Revenue is down because of the economy and record unemployment here in Illinois. Think about the reasons you would want to put our health at risk and ask yourself if your health is worth the price,and if your health is important isn't mine?
essex, il I've been working in the Illinois casinos since 1993 as a dealer. I am a nonsmoker and I always hated the fact that I would come home stinking of smoke. The health risk was something I thought I had to deal with if I wanted to stay employed. I never thought I had any other options. The smoking ban is by far the best thing that ever happened to me. The job is so much more enjoyable with the non smoking law. I'm certain we all signed waivers long ago saying we were willing to work in a smoky environment. I have to tell you now I don't think I could do it again. I currently have a newborn baby at home.I would absolutely hate feeling like I need to shower before even picking up my baby. I don't undersand how you can legally make this exception to the law for casinos. Am I expendable? Is my life worth less than all other employees in the state? Please do not believe for one second that we would be given a choice by our employers to work in the smoke or not. If that is what they are telling you they are blowing smoke.
essex, il I worked as a dealer and a gaming supervisor for 7 years. I am sickened to hear that casino workers may have to deal with 2nd hand smoke. Here are a few things I had to deal with as a dealer in a smoking casino. 1. My hands would get burnt every so often from careless smokers picking up chips, and holding their cigarettes. 2. Non smokers asking smokers to blow their smoke away from them and then having it turn into an altercation. 3. When smokin patrons began to lose on my table they would start to blow smoke directly in my face. 4. When I was pregnant dealer and asked to deal in the basement that was non-smoking I was denied because I was valuable high stakes dealer. 5. After puking on several high stakes game I was moved to the non-smoking basement. It still smelled like smoke and had horrible ventalation. 6. Patrons who got really mad would sometimes throw their dirty ash tray at me. 7. I would smell like an ash tray at the end of the night. Currently I am a medical device rep. However I will never forget what it was like to work in a casino. A casino is a volitile place. If you think casino managers are going to give casino workers a choice of working in smoking or non smoking ..YOU ARE WRONG. I don't understand why the lungs and health of casino workers are not as valuable as everyone elses?
Moline, IL I have worked as a dealer at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin Il. for 16 years. I did sign a paper to work in a smoking environment. Now that I have worked in a smoke free environment, I now know how bad the second hand smoke is. Smoking did cause problems amongst patrons. I hear patrons say how happy they are that the casino is smoke free. They don't smell when they go home, nobody is blowing smoke in their face and they simply do not want to breathe it. We have been told that we as emplyees would have to work in a smoking environment or find another job. I don't hear any complaints from smokers about going outside to smoke. Because of the latest Surgeon Generals' warning on smoking and second hand smoke, I hope to remain smoke free. Casinos in Illinois are down in revenue because we are in a recession not because we are non-smoking. Every business is hurting. Our casino business is based on people who live locally. These people have been coming to this casino for 16 years and are running out of money. I have noticed that in the last few months our casino is getting a little busier. Please keep the casinos smoke-free because we have the right to live a longer life. Thank you.
Essex, IL I am a casino dealer, and have worked in IL for 16 years. Until the ban, my children use to tell me I stunk when I came home from work. The first thing I would have to do is shower and wash my hair. The casino boats have very little success circulating the air, and have never been able to do it successfully. The past couple of years have been tolerable to live and work in IL. Removing this ban would be a huge step backwards for a State that spends so much money protecting the air from automobiles.
bartlett, IL I am a casino patron and I prefer to have our casinos smoke-free!!!!!!!!
Chicago, IL I am a casino dealer at th Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. I have been a dealer there since 1994 opening day. The smoke in the casino was horrendous. I would go home smelling awful. I have stopped snoring since we have stopped allowing smoking. I really dont want to have to go back to the effect it had on my lungs from second hand smoke. Not to mention the smell. Please dont put my lungs and health at risk again by allowing smoking back in the casinos. Thank you.
st charles, IL I am a dealer who has worked in the industry for nearly 19 years. Second hand smoke in the workplace has had a very negative effect on me personally healthwise. Dring the smoking years, I had suffered from many respiratory ailments, bronchitis, asthma, and even two bouts with pneumonia that exposure had much to do with. This is nothing compared to the sinus issues that I experienced. I had to have 4 sinus surgeries to repair damage done from the numerous infections that came over the course of the years. One of these almost killed me when I developed a CSF leak. My doctors had advised me to quit and get out of this environment or it would surely do more harm. Since our casinos went smokefree my health has greatly improved and life is much better. This will be jeopardized if we go back. Having worked in the same casino for the last 16 years, I can assure you that smoking is not the major factor in declining attendance. It is the economy. We have many smoking patrons and they still come. When the economy improves, so will we. In closing, I am asking you to treat us casino workers with the same respect that is there for everyone else and allow us to remain smokefree. Todd Todd I absolutely love that smoking is not allowed the casino I visit often! I hope it stays a non-smoking environment!
Chicago, il As a Casino Employee I was subjected to working in a smoking enviorment, the smoke was so bad we were opening the emergancy exits in an attempt to get some fresh air in the Casino Boat. We were told to keep the doors closed, as it was a violation of Coast Guard laws. The smoke was so bad the air would turn blue. There were often arguments between smokers and non-smokers, with the non-smokers complaining that the smokers were blowing smoke at them in an attemt to chase the non-smoker away from thier slot machine. It was a constant battle to keep the place clean, ditry ash trays everywhere and cigarette burned chairs and burns on the table games. Many of my non-smoking co-workers had stories of Doctor visits where thier Doctor suggested they quit smoking, and when they told the Doctor "I work at the casino" the Doctor would say things like "I know it's bad I'v been there" or "oh yah I'v heard that before" I'm tire of hearing smokers saying thier Constituntional Rights are being violated, what about the rights of the non-smokers? WE are the ones being violated by breathing second hand smoke, putting up with filthy chairs, slot machines & table games. Allowing Casinos to return to even partial smoking will force the non-smokers away. If you want to get your message across, set aside a NON-SMOKING DAY (boycot). Ask the non-smoking gambelers to refrain from going to the casinos for one day to show the Casino Operators how many people want the Casinos to remain smoke free.
East Saint Loius, IL First I would like to say that I AM a casino employee that works directly with customers as a table games dealer. I have worked in the same casino for 11 years and have both experienced a time when smoking existed and when it hasn't. I must say that the smoke free environment has greatly improved my health. I used to get sick all the time and get sinus infections but when the smoking ban was put in place, I rarely got sick anymore. It is clear to me that smoking is a direct cause of most sinus infections I have encountered. I could even tell that on days where I worked in the smoky environment, I run a couple miles a day and was very short of breath afterwards. This no longer happens, again, as a direct effect of the ban. I also play another role. I am also a patron at other casinos. I will only go to Illinois casinos to gamble because I don't want to smell like smoke when I get home. If I go to a smoking casino, I have to wear a certain set of clothes that, no matter how many times I wash them, I just cannot seem to get the smoke smell out of them entirely. People are going to casinos out of state because of the different games they offer. The problem in Illinois is that we are severely limited on the number of game selection. That is the reason we are losing revenue. Unemployment is also a major factor. First, it is important to resolve those issues to increase revenue. Finally, casinos still offer smoking in designated areas outside. Even that is abused. I see people smoking right next to the doors they aren't supposed to be and flicking their cigarette butts into the river. Smokers just have no consideration for other people and abuse the rules anytime they can.
Elgin, IL I have been a dealer in a casino in IL for 18 years. I was asked many years ago to sign a waiver that I could work in a smoky environment. No one was allowed to refuse to sign. The last three SMOKE-FREE years have made for a much nicer environment to work in. No dirty ashtrays, no ashes and cigarette butts scattered on gaming tables, no daily arguments between smoking and non-smoking patrons, nobody almost burning me with their cigarette as I try to do my job, no stink on my body or clothes as I leave the casino each workday, and no watching smoke leave the noses and mouths of strangers as it makes its way directly to my nose and mouth. The last three SMOKE-FREE years have also made for a much healthier environment to work in. And, that has not gone unappreciated. I also know a good number of casino workers that have quit smoking themselves since the ban. I see the proposed legislation asks for a smoking room to be allowed. In the past, the ratio of smoking space vs non-smoking space was severely in favor of the smoker. Even if the ratio were 20% smoking/80% non-smoking, at some point, every worker would be forced to deal in a room FILLED FROM THE FLOORBOARDS TO THE RAFTERS with smoke. NO ventilation system exists that protects people from secondhand smoke. And, contrary to what these legislators may tell you, casino workers will not have a choice of whether or not to work in the smoking area provided. No one is going to volunteer to work in a smoking room 40 hours a week--NO ONE! And, that will leave the casinos with their hands tied on staffing those areas and giving their employees the choice to NOT be exposed to smoke. Choice for the employees when it comes to smoking rooms is a FALSE PROMISE that will absolutely NOT be fulfilled. I believe anyone who refuses to work in the smoking rooms will lose their jobs. It is worse than a nightmare to imagine having to face secondhand smoke in the workplace again. It is hard to accept the notion that a smoking ban created for the overall improvement of health in the state of IL is being tossed aside for an imaginary sum of money. Money that is not coming back due to 10% unemployment and the worst economy since the Great Depression. To blame the smoking ban is ludicrous. I know my casino still has all its smoking patrons present and accounted for. If this legislation regarding casinos passes, surely the bars and restaurants won't be far behind. And, then IL will officially be the state that failed. Failed to honor the commitment it made with the smoking ban. Failed to protect the whole of its citizenry for the comfort of the minority. Failed to say the health of its people matters more than money. And, that will be an epic fail.
Elgin, IL |
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