Monday, May 11, 2009 | 9 p.m.
Former casino dealer Terrie Price says she lost her job for warning her employer about the dangers of secondhand smoke in her workplace. Now, a new study backs up her claim about the effects of secondhand smoke. NewsONE at 9 anchor Jeff Gillan talks with Terrie Price.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/videos/2009/may/11/2124/
My name is Vincent Rennich and I am a life-long resident of Somers Point, New Jersey. I have been married for more than 25 years and until last year worked as a casino table games supervisor for more than 25 years.
In 2005, something happened that changed my life forever. While driving to work, I was hit head on by a full size van. Both vehicles were totaled in the crash and I was rushed to the hospital. Shortly thereafter, a radiologist noticed something unusual on my x-rays and CT scans.
After further consultations, it was determined that I had lung cancer. Having never smoked cigarettes or used any tobacco products, this came as quite a shock. It seemed pretty clear that this was the result of being exposed to second hand smoke at work. If I did not have this car accident, I might never have known about the cancer until it was too late. My surgeon told me I would have been dead in 4 months to a year. He said that by the time symptoms are presented it is usually too late. In September 2005, I had the top right lobe of my lung removed. I was extremely fortunate to have caught this in the early stages.
Through this experience, I took on the mission to have smoking eliminated from the casino floor. My goal was to help create a smoke-free environment for my many friends, former co-workers and the thousands of men and women that work on the casino floor. Casino employees deserve the same rights that are afforded to everyone else in the state of New Jersey. Casino workers and patrons should be protected from the deadly effects of second hand smoke. I believe that the current situation is unfair and perhaps unconstitutional. It is immoral to choose which workers can or cannot be protected.
This is not and has never been an economic issue; it is a health issue. I understand that revenue is the main concern of the casino industry. However we can no longer ignore the overwhelming medical evidence on the dangers of second hand smoke. The safety, health and welfare of dedicated casino employees and their families have to be the number one priority.
Tens of thousands of my former colleagues have been in harms way far too long. They should not have to choose between their health and their jobs. Please help me eliminate this workplace hazard. If you believe casino workers are not second-class citizens and deserve the same rights and protection that all other New Jersey workers receive, please join me! Also, please pass this web site on to everyone you care about and who cares about you and your health.
My sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone for your support and well wishes.
Sincerely,
Vinny Rennich
www.smokefreecasinos.com
www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/02/13/Judge-says-second-hand-smoke-led-to-cancer/UPI-27371202920872/
Judge says second-hand smoke led to cancer
Judge Cosmo Giovinazzi, a New Jersey workers' compensation judge, issued a preliminary ruling Monday awarding Kam Wong roughly $150,000 for lost wages and medical expenses because second-hand smoke materially contributed to her lung cancer, The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) reported Wednesday.
Wong, her husband and none of her family members smoked, nor was she exposed to significant amounts of cigarette smoke outside of work, her attorney, Lawrence Mintz said.
Wong worked as a dealer at the baccarat and poker tables at Claridge Casino Hotel since 1990 and developed lung cancer, losing an entire lung in 2000. She is no longer able to work, Mintz said.
The judge found the insurance provider for Claridge, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company, responsible for funding any future cancer treatment Wong may need, The Press of Atlantic City reported.
"It is slowly but surely becoming generally accepted that secondhand smoke is hazardous to your health," Mintz said.
Casino officials had no comment in the case.
Published: Feb. 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM
