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Time to end Iowa's casino cancers

Joe Bolkcom

Jan. 16, 2026 3:16 pm

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Want a simple, proven way to cut cancer cases in Iowa? End smoking in Iowa’s 19 casinos. Second hand smoke causes cancer. That’s why in 2009 Iowa Democrats ended smoking in bars, restaurants and all work places, but not casinos. Powerful casino owners have fought tooth and nail to get and now preserve their smoking exemption. It's long past time to protect the health of Iowa’s 7,000 casino workers and their 1.6 million annual visitors.

Joe Bolkcom

Des Moines

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