We need to make casinos smoke-free

The fact that Iowa casinos are the last (workplace) to be protected from secondhand smoke has me concerned. Secondhand smoke is the third-leading cause of preventable death in the United States. We should do what we can as a state to prevent these deaths.

Casino workers have the right to prevent their death as well as tourists who want to spend an enjoyable evening in a smoke-free environment gambling with their money, not their lives.

If we want to be the healthiest state, we need to offer a smoke-free workplace for the 9,241 casino employees in Iowa. Combined with drawing more than 22.6 million visitors per year, the impact of all of these casinos going smoke-free would be astounding and a positive health message. This would also immediately reduce the risk of heart disease.

I praise some of our elected officials who have had the courage to try to do something about this problem. We can't afford to wait any longer. State legislators should make casinos a smoke-free environment.

Jennifer McLeod

Hiawatha