Casinos in Rhode Island Face Smoking Ban with Grace Period

Rhode Island is set to eliminate indoor smoking in casinos after lawmakers approved a bill that removes the long-standing exemption for gambling venues. The legislation will gradually phase out smoking by July 1, 2027, with the final version allowing for the creation of enclosed smoking lounges to ease the transition.

Good to know

• Smoking will be banned inside Rhode Island casinos by mid-2027.
• Enclosed lounges with proper ventilation will be permitted.
• The timeline was adjusted in response to Bally’s concerns over revenue.

The bill, led by Rep. V. Susan Sosnowski, updates the state’s Public Health and Workplace Safety Act to include casinos under Rhode Island’s broader indoor smoking ban. Sosnowski has been a key figure in the push for smoke-free workplaces since sponsoring the original law more than two decades ago.

Although her initial plan aimed for an immediate ban, lawmakers agreed to a delayed implementation following input from Bally’s Corporation. Bally’s operates the Twin River and Tiverton casinos and argued that a sudden change could hurt business. The compromise gives operators three years to prepare while still addressing worker health concerns.

In a statement to 12 News, Bally’s said it welcomed the state’s willingness to balance health and business needs. The company noted that it will continue to offer smoking accommodations in the form of lounges that meet new ventilation and containment standards.

The push to extend smoking bans to casinos has gained more momentum in recent years, especially after indoor smoking was temporarily halted during the pandemic. Many workers who returned to the casino floor once the ban was lifted in March 2022 raised renewed concerns about secondhand smoke exposure.

Supporters of the bill argue that no employee should be subject to harmful air in their workplace, regardless of the industry. The legislation now awaits the signature of Governor Dan McKee to become law.

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