Iowa Casino Smoking Ban Fails to Pass

The US state of Iowa banned smoking in most public places including restaurants and coffee shops back in 2008 but neglected to include in the anti-smoking legislation the gambling areas of its state casinos.

The lack of inclusion of gambling areas within the 2008 smoking ban was due to last minute pressures from casino industry leaders and lobbyist aired their concerns that a smoking ban in the gambling areas of casinos will drive gamblers away to other states where smoking is allowed in casinos.

Republican Janet Petersen stated that "when we passed the smoke-free act of 2008, one class of people was left out, that's people who work in casinos". And Democrat Des Moines added that her act amendment can help make the lives of thousands of casino works better and healthier.

The views for and against the casino smoking ban are splitting party lines with both Democrats and Republicans supporting and objecting to the ban, however there was a slight tendency on part of the Republican to object more to the amendment.

The vote eventually went against making the necessary amendments when some Republican decided to vote in accordance with their party's general stance on smoking in spite of the numerous health risks the lack of such a ban imposes of those working within the casino industry.