Casino workers looking to ban smoking in Kansas and Missouri casinos

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A group with one goal, to create a smoke-free environment for employees in casinos, is working with lawmakers to make that a possibility in Kansas and Missouri.

The group is called CEASE, which stands for Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects. They're calling on lawmakers to ban smoking in casinos in Kansas and Missouri.

Joseph Hafley has worked in a casino for nearly seven years.

“No one should have to work in secondhand smoke. Doesn't matter if you are like security, EVS, bartenders, anything like that,” Hafley said. “No one should have to deal with breathing that in, in order to make a paycheck.”

Hafley is the founder and leader of CEASE.

Hafley said he's been working with lawmakers to push bills through that would ban smoking in Kansas and Missouri casinos.

“85% of Kansans and Missourians do not smoke, but they cater to the 15% that do, which doesn't make any sense,” Hafley said.

Casinos operated by Native American tribes, like 7th Street Casino in KCK, would not be impacted.

There are four state-regulated casinos in Kansas, including Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.

Vice President, Public Affairs & Government Relations with Penn Entertainment Jeff Morris said in a statement to FOX4:

“As members of the hospitality industry, we seek to accommodate the needs of both our smoking and non-smoking patrons using state-of-the-art ventilation systems, extremely high ceilings, and through adequate separation of smoking and non-smoking areas.  The real power at the end of the day on this issue rests with our customers who can vote with their pocketbooks if they feel like we’re not doing a good enough job catering to their needs.  It’s a balance and one that we feel the marketplace should determine, particularly in such a competitive environment with other gaming facilities nearby and in neighboring states.”

John Elbert likes to smoke inside Hollywood Casino. Elbert said if he couldn’t smoke, he wouldn’t stay inside the casino for as long.

“I don't like the idea of not being able to go in there, play my game and relax, you know, and have my smokes,” Elbert said.

Hafley doubles down on his push for change and clean air.

“Get it passed,” Hafley said. “We'll be back each and every year until it does.”

The legislative session in Missouri starts Jan. 8. Lawmakers will be back in Topeka on Jan. 13.

Hafley will attend two advocacy days. One in Topeka on Jan. 21, another in Jefferson City on Feb. 3.