If the bill becomes law, Iowa will join 20 states that already ban smoking inside casinos
Iowa lawmakers are again debating whether smoking should remain legal on casino gaming floors. A bill advancing in the state House would eliminate a long-standing carveout that has allowed casinos to permit indoor smoking while most other public places remain smoke-free.
House File 781 targets the exemption in Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act. The law has banned smoking in restaurants, bars, and workplaces since 2008, but casinos were excluded at the time. If the exemption is removed, smoking would no longer be allowed on casino floors.
Supporters say the change is about health and worker safety. Public health advocates argue that casino employees face daily exposure to secondhand smoke during long shifts, putting them at greater risk for serious illnesses over time.
Vianca Herrera of the Scott County Health Department told lawmakers there is no safe amount of secondhand smoke exposure. She said even short visits can be harmful, while employees who spend eight or more hours on gaming floors face repeated risks linked to heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
Health officials also point to Iowa’s broader cancer trends. The Hawkeye State has one of the highest rates of new cancer cases in the country and is the only state where cancer diagnoses continue to rise. Lung cancer remains one of the most common diagnoses in several counties.
Casino operators have pushed back, arguing that modern ventilation systems and designated non-smoking areas help limit exposure. Health experts disagree, saying smoke reaches workers and guests long before air systems can filter it out.
The proposal has cleared a House subcommittee and now awaits further review. It must still pass both chambers of the Legislature before reaching the governor’s desk. Health groups are also promoting Quitline Iowa for those seeking help to stop smoking.
