Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Park MGM has put health first

I’m thrilled that Park MGM reopened as a smoke-free establishment to protect the health of workers, customers and the public. Becoming the first smoke-free casino on the Strip sends a message to the rest of the gaming industry that this should not be an exception, but standard practice.

I’m a cancer survivor and this issue matters to me. My father was a “Day One” employee of the Mirage — and at 74, he recently quit smoking. His health is constantly on my mind, as the word “retirement” isn’t in his vocabulary. I grew up with many others who have careers or parents in the casino industry and share the same concerns.

No one should have to choose between their health or earning a paycheck. Sadly, casino workers are exposed to cancer-causing secondhand smoke while on the job. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which is responsible for roughly 41,000 deaths among nonsmoking adults in the U.S. every year. By going smoke-free, Park MGM will improve the health of its workers and patrons, as well as its bottom line.

As Nevada’s lead ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, I help advocate for policies to fight cancer, and I urge all Nevada casinos to become smoke-free.