The Mesquite Citizens for Clean Indoor Air Coalition will host a Community Roundtable Discussion to present personal stories describing the implications of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express across from WalMart, 1030 Pioneer Blvd.
The event will feature a panel discussion with casino and bar workers, a business owner, and area health care provider, and will be followed by questions and answers. It is free and open to the public.
“The U.S. Surgeon General has declared there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Chris Picior, coalition representative. “It is well understood that even the most expensive air filtration systems do not protect workers inside buildings where smoking occurs, leaving one third of Mesquite workers at risk for serious, even fatal illnesses.” Second hand smoke exposure causes many illnesses, including heart disease, respiratory illness, and cancers of almost every organ. Short term exposure for as little as 30 minutes has been linked to heart attacks in numerous studies throughout the world.
The purpose of the event, Picior said, is to provide a public forum where this critical public health issue can be understood and discussed by Mesquite residents. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to casino and bar workers who have worked in smoke filled environments, a local business owner who has worked in the casino industry and advocated for smoke-free gaming, and a health care professional who daily deals with patients who have smoking-caused illnesses.
For more information, call Christine Picior (435) 229-9964.
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The casinos will not voluntarily go smoke-free. Put this on the ballot! Let the voters decide.
We have been exposed to second hand smoke for way too long. Why is it the right of smokers to “share” their addiction with those of us that are trying to enjoy ourselves in the casinos? It is our right to be able to breathe clean air. We can not go to dinner or gamble outside the establishment. It only makes sense that they step outside or into a controlled smoking area. We are not hurting them, they are hurting us. It’s time for a change. I agree, let’s vote on it.
Long ago, due to second-hand smoke, I began limiting my exposure by limiting casino play during high peak periods when the smoke is so horrible. Over time, something interesting happened; I realized I didn’t miss going that much. Sometimes I still play at low-peak times, though less and less often because I’m tired of feeling I can’t take a deep breath, tired of the headaches the second hand smoke causes (not to mention other issues it may cause) and tired of my clothing and hair smelling like cigarettes. Supposedly, there are fewer smokers than nonsmokers these days. If the City of Mesquite won’t get it on the ballot, perhaps non-smoking citizens should ban together and “vote” with their pocketbook by hanging on to their money rather than gambling. Who knows? It could help bring change.
Positively go there in the event the sum of money
you’re planning to conserve will probably be worth it.