On Thursday (19 September), Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR), a national anti-smoking advocacy group that has for years fought state exemptions for casinos included in indoor smoking bans, released an open letter. Addressed to state lawmakers and regulators, the letter urges them to confront indoor smoking as a responsible-gaming issue.

“Allowing smoking on gaming floors not only poses significant health risks to workers and patrons alike, but it also encourages prolonged gambling sessions without breaks—a fundamental tenet of responsible play,” ANR wrote in the open letter to states.