Western Australia’s leading health groups urge Crown Perth to make casino entirely smoke-free

The Australian Medical Association (WA), Australian Council on Smoking and Health WA and Cancer Council WA are calling on Crown Perth to make its high-roller gaming areas at the casino entirely smoke-free.

This follows a decision made by Crown Melbourne to declare all high-roller gaming areas smoke-free for a period of two weeks to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, in response to health and safety concerns raised by casino workers.

Cancer Council WA’s Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Melissa Ledger advised “the fact that smoking is still allowed in ‘high-roller’ gaming areas is out-dated and shocking, and entirely inconsistent with health and safety legislation.

“Since the smoking exemption was granted in 2006 under WA’s tobacco legislation, the size of the high-roller areas has increased significantly, exposing more workers and patrons to second-hand smoke.”

Australian Council on Smoking and Health WA Chief Executive, Maurice Swanson notes Crown Perth casino is the only enclosed workplace in Western Australia that allows its staff to be exposed to dangerous second-hand cigarette smoke and adds “we have known for nearly 40 years that second-hand smoke causes lung cancer, and it is now firmly established that second-hand smoke causes heart attacks.

“No ventilation system can remove the pollutants generated by cigarette smoke, and this evidence has been available for many years.”

Australian Medical Association (WA) President, Dr Andrew Miller, said Crown Perth was sending a very poor message to its staff and the community about the importance of their health and

Dr Miller adds “all employees at the casino deserve to work in a safe environment without being exposed to second-hand smoke.

“There is also evidence that if you smoke or inhale second-hand smoke your risk of contracting COVID-19 is increased.

“If Crown Perth is not prepared to do the right thing by its staff and patrons, the State Government should immediately remove the exemption that allows smoking to continue in certain areas of the casino.”

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