Researchers measure unhealthy air in arcades, restaurants, and restrooms despite 16 years of
Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act prohibitions
NEVADA (Dec. 5, 2022) — Particulate levels of secondhand smoke toxins are prominent in every area
of casinos – not just in places where smoking is allowed – according to recent air quality testing conducted
in Reno and Las Vegas by public health researchers. Arcades intended for children’s entertainment,
bowling alleys, restaurants and even restrooms were found to have poorer air quality than some smoking
areas due to indoor smoking.
Sixteen years after the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) was passed, nearly 40% of Nevada’s workforce
remain left behind to work in the smoke. And every guest – some of whom are children and adolescents –
who visits resort casinos or gaming and tavern operations where smokers are present is breathing air that
contains particulate matter that is proven to damage human health.
The Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition (NTPC), a group of public health, heath care, and private partner
organizations, is highlighting the importance of closing the loopholes in the NCIAA to protect Nevada
workers and the guests they serve. The law, which took effect December 8, 2006, included exemptions for
casinos and has since been weakened to accommodate other special interests.
Mountains of evidence show that there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke, and even brief exposure
can cause immediate harm.(1)
The air quality studies demonstrate what the American Society of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) long has noted: ventilation, air filtration, and designated smoking areas are ineffective in protecting against secondhand smoke hazards.(2)
In Las Vegas, the study demonstrates the stark differences in particulate matter inside casinos that allow
smoking indoors with the one property that prohibits smoking indoors, said Michael Tynan, a Master of
Public Health candidate at the University of Washington. Tynan conducted the study as the thesis
component for his degree.(3)
Tynan’s study showed PM2.5 levels in gaming areas of Las Vegas casinos that allow smoking are 5.4 times
higher than the smoke-free casino.
“Average PM2.5 levels were significantly higher in casinos that allow smoking, for both casino gaming areas
and areas where smoking is otherwise prohibited,” Tynan’s thesis stated.
In Reno, Dr. Eric Crosbie, Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada,
Reno, led a team of researchers who monitored air quality during weekend visits in spring 2022 to 12 of
the region’s resort and mid-sized properties. Two non-casino resort-style properties where smoking is not
allowed served as the non-smoking comparison.
Crosbie’s research shows that even with a small number of active smokers present in gaming areas, PM2.5
levels in non-smoking areas still could peak under the “unhealthy” and “unhealthy for sensitive groups”
range as identified by the air quality ratings set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Our study showed that most properties had only about five people out of 100 who were active smokers,
yet the particulate matter attributed to secondhand smoke in non-smoking areas was still substantial and,
in some cases, higher than smoking areas,” said Crosbie.
The 2022 Nevada Adult Tobacco Survey shows that 86.8% of Nevadans believe people should be protected
from secondhand smoke, and 58.2% support prohibiting smoking in all indoor areas of casinos, including
gaming areas. In Nevada, 89.4% of people are non-smokers.
A 2018 community attitudes study in Reno showed 60% of all residents favor a law prohibiting smoking in
all Reno, Sparks and Washoe County casinos, and 63% favor a law prohibiting smoking in bars. Among non-smokers, 74% favor prohibiting smoking at casinos and bars. Most people said they would both be more likely to visit a casino or bar and would find them more enjoyable if they were 100% smoke-free.
NTPC’s local effort, Smoke Free Truckee Meadows, is working to pass ordinances in Reno, Sparks and
Washoe County to protect every employee in public workplaces, as well as minors and others who visit
these locations. The NCIAA allows local governments to pass indoor smoking laws stricter than those in
state law.
Nationally, studies show that nearly eight in 10 gamblers would prefer to play in a non-smoking
environment regardless of identification as a smoker or non-smoker.(4)
“It’s time to close the loopholes in the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act so that every employee and guest is
protected against secondhand smoke exposure in public workplaces,” said Taylor Allison, NTPC President.
For more information on Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition, research and the dangers of vaping please
visit www.nvtobaccopreventioncoalition.org.
[1] https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects/secondhand-smoke
[2] https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20documents/pd_environmental-tobacco-smoke-2020-07-1.pdf
[3] Tynan_washington_0250O_24172.pdf
[4] https://smokefreecasinos.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/2021-NIGA-Gaming-Survey-Facts.pdf
About Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition (NTPC)
Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition is a collaboration of organizations and individuals that work in public
health, health care, local and national nonprofits, community-based organizations, insurance payors,
professional and medical associations, higher education, and government. NTPC members work together by
advocating to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke and vape emissions, expand access to cessation,
and reduce commercial tobacco use.
NTPC’s mission is to improve the health of all Nevadans by reducing the burden of tobacco use and nicotine
addiction. For a comprehensive list of members and for more information on NTPC, please visit
www.nvtobaccopreventioncoalition.org or like us on Facebook.
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