Rhode Island casino workers rally for smoking ban, pressure mounts on Senate

About 150 unionized casino workers rallied at the Rhode Island State House this week, chanting “NO MORE SMOKE!” as they urged lawmakers to pass legislation ending indoor smoking at the state’s two casinos, as reported by Rhode Island Current. 

The demonstration marked the fourth consecutive year that workers have supported a bill sponsored by Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat, to eliminate the exemption allowing smoking at Bally’s Lincoln and Tiverton casinos—despite a statewide indoor smoking ban enacted in 2005.

“For the last 20 years, there has been a grave injustice happening in our casinos,” Tanzi told the crowd. “These are our workers who are there day in, day out — they’re doing a service for our state.”

The bill, which has yet to reach the House floor, gained new momentum this year with House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi signing on as a co-sponsor for the first time.

In the Senate, companion legislation introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski remains stalled in the Committee on Labor and Gaming, chaired by newly appointed Majority Leader Frank Ciccone III. Ciccone, a Providence Democrat, has long opposed a full smoking ban, citing potential revenue losses. He is instead seeking a compromise between Bally’s and the unions to expand non-smoking areas.

“If anything looks fruitful, we’ll set up another meeting with everyone again,” Ciccone said Tuesday. “Hopefully, we’ll get closer.”

Bally’s, which operates both casinos, declined to comment on any progress. “We don’t have anything to report right now on the smoking issue,” said company spokesperson Patti Doyle.

Union leaders reject partial solutions. Matt Dunham, president of Table Game Dealers Laborers Local 711, said existing non-smoking areas do not adequately protect staff. “A lot of people are going to be left out,” he said, noting that workers still pass through smoky sections to access common areas. “We still have to walk through cigarettes to get to our own break room.”

The Rhode Island AFL-CIO, which commissioned a poll in February showing nearly 70% of respondents support a full smoking ban, is backing the effort. “We’re taking the lead from the workers,” said Autumn Guillote, the group’s political director. “And the demand is still 100% from the advocates.”

Workers spoke of the toll second-hand smoke takes on their health. “The Rhode Island casinos are putting the safety and well-being of their employees and patrons at risk and showing that their employees are expendable,” said Vanessa Baker, an iGaming supervisor at Bally’s Lincoln. “And all our lives changed for the worse,” she added, referring to the return of smoking in 2022 after a temporary pandemic-era ban.

Philip Farinelli, a floor supervisor at Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino, shared his experience battling multiple cancers and a heart attack. “I’m still here fighting today so I can work in a healthy environment,” he said. “We all suffer — nose running, eyes itching — it’s just every day, it’s terrible.”

Maegan Tikiryan, a longtime server and bartender, said she’s worried about her future health. “I don’t want the smoke to kill me before I earn my degree,” said Tikiryan, who is pursuing a law degree at UMass Law.

While the House shows signs of shifting, pressure now falls squarely on the Senate to act on the measure.