This act would repeal the exemption granted to pari mutual facilities and casinos from the smoke free workplace requirement contained in the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act.
Summary
S0188 amends Rhode Island’s Public Health and Workplace Safety Act to remove the existing exemption that allows smoking in pari-mutuel facilities, including casino gaming areas, and instead extend smoke-free workplace protections to those venues. The bill keeps the general framework of the state’s smoking restrictions in place, but narrows the special carve-out for pari-mutuel facilities by requiring nonsmoking areas and, as described in the bill explanation, repealing the broader exemption for those facilities. It also preserves the separate treatment of smoking bars and related definitions in the statute, and the act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The measure changes state law in Chapter 23-20.10 by revising definitions and the section governing pari-mutuel facilities. Under the amended law, pari-mutuel facilities must maintain designated smoking and nonsmoking gaming areas with physical separation and separate ventilation, and any further smoking allowance would be limited by statute. The bill therefore affects casino and racetrack-style gaming venues, their operators, employees, and patrons, while reinforcing the state’s smoke-free workplace standards for indoor public and employment spaces.
Impact
The bill would tighten Rhode Island’s indoor smoking restrictions by eliminating the statutory exemption that has allowed smoking in pari-mutuel facilities and casinos, subject to the bill’s revised language and the delayed effective date. It would require affected facilities to operate under the state’s smoke-free workplace rules, with implications for facility design, ventilation, employee work conditions, and compliance oversight. The act would amend specific definitions in the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act and alter the legal treatment of pari-mutuel licensees and any smoking lounges or designated smoking areas within those venues.
Sentiment
The voting record shows strong support for the bill. It passed the Senate unanimously and then passed the House in concurrence by a wide margin, indicating broad legislative agreement with expanding smoke-free protections in pari-mutuel facilities. No committee transcript was provided, so the available record suggests little organized opposition in the recorded votes.
Contention
The main point of contention is the loss of the smoking exemption for pari-mutuel facilities and casinos, which would affect gaming operators that have relied on designated smoking areas and separate ventilation systems. Supporters appear to favor stronger public health and workplace protections for employees and patrons, while any opposition would likely come from facility operators, smoking-bar businesses, or patrons who prefer indoor smoking accommodations. The bill’s explanation also notes a specific exception related to Plum & Proof Cigar Bar, suggesting attention to preserving existing smoking-bar treatment even as the pari-mutuel exemption is repealed.
In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in licensing of drivers, further providing for issuance and content of driver's license and for carrying and exhibiting driver's license on demand.
In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in licensing of drivers, further providing for issuance and content of driver's license and for carrying and exhibiting driver's license on demand.