&
air quality
workforce
at the smoke - free
palace casino
2 0 14 • m i s s i s s i p p i t o b a c c o d a t a
The Palace Casino
growth two years after implementing a smoke-free policy
T
he Palace Casino in Biloxi implemented a smokefree policy when it reopened on June 14, 2011. The
casino voluntarily prohibited smoking inside all of the
casino facility, with the exception of a smoking lounge
located off of the casino floor. The purpose of this brief
is to summarize the available data about the potential
economic impact of this new policy.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission releases
quarterly reports that provide data on all of the nonreservation casinos. Although these reports do not
release revenue data, the commission does release data
on the number of employees, number of slot games,
and number of table games for each casino. This brief
examines these data for the Palace Casino, in the
context of the Coastal Region Casinos.
coastal region casinos
1. Beau Rivage
7. Island View Casino
2. Boomtown
8. Isle of Capri
3. Grand Casino
9. Palace Casino
4. Hard Rock Casino
10.Sliver Slipper
5. Hollywood Casino
11.Treasure Bay
6. Imperial Palace
n u m b e r o f e m p l oy e e s at t h e pa l a c e c a s i n o
519
525
642
566
620
610
{
smoke-free
538
2008/9
2009/10
pe rc e nt o f tota l
14 94
2007/8
2008/9
2010/11
(coa sta l )
13
2009/10
56
2010/11
2011/12 2012/13 2013/14
= 50 Employees
%
0
5
.
6
6
%
1
2
.6 .10%
e m ploy e es at th e pa l ac e c a s i n o
smoke-free
2007/8
Number of employees
at the Palace Casino
increased by 16% after
going smoke-free.
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
Percent of coastal employees who work at the Palace Casino increased by 25% after going smoke-free.
1
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
n u m b e r o f h o t e l e m p l oy e e s at t h e pa l a c e c a s i n o
75
76
75
96
93
94
{
smoke-free
80
2007/8
2008/9
2009/10
5.00%
5.29%
2007/8
2008/9
(coa sta l )
2012/13
2011/12
= 5 Employees
2013/14
h ote l e m ploy e es at th e pa l ac e c a s i n o
7.43%
%
1
8
.
6
2%
2
.
6
9
smoke-free
pe rc e nt o f tota l
2010/11
Number of hotel
employees at the Palace
Casino increased by 23%
after going smoke-free.
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
3.9%
2013/14
Percent of coastal hotel employees who work at the Palace Casino increased by 9% after going smoke-free.
n u m b e r o f s l o t s at t h e pa l a c e c a s i n o
811
801
804
1,059
1,001
930
{
smoke-free
814
2007/8
2008/9
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
Number of slots at
the Palace Casino
increased by 23%
after going smoke-free.
= 100 Slots
2
5.55%
2007/8
5.72%
8%
6
.
5
5.59%
2008/9
2009/10
7.33%
s l o t s at t h e pa l a c e c a s i n o
smoke-free
( c o a s ta l )
p e r c e n t o f t o ta l
2010/11
6.81% 6.47%
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
Percent of coastal slots located at the Palace Casino increased by 22% after going smoke-free.
n u m b e r o f ta b l e s at t h e pa l a c e c a s i n o
15
15
16
26
24
26
smoke-free
14
2008/9
2009/10
2010/11
p e r c e n t o f t o ta l
%
4
3
.
3
2007/8
( c o a s ta l )
%
3
5
.
3
3.46%
2008/9
2009/10
2011/12
3.93%
2010/11
2012/13
2013/14
= 2 Tables
6.07%5.88%
60%
ta b l e s at t h e pa l a c e c a s i n o
5.
smoke-free
2007/8
{
Number of tables
at the Palace Casino
increased by 66%
after going smoke-free.
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
Percent of coastal tables located at the Palace Casino increased by 66% after going smoke-free.
3
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
results
methods
• Data from the Mississippi Gaming Commission
demonstrate that the Palace Casino experienced no
reduction in the number of employees, slot games,
or table games during the year after implementing
a smoke-free policy in June of 2011.
• Data from the Coastal Region Casinos demonstrate
no reduction in the Palace Casino market share of
the region after implementing a smoke-free policy
in June of 2011, as measured by the number of
employees, slot games, or table games.
Although it is possible that the modest increases
observed after the smoke-free policy are because
the casino increased its square footage during the
renovation preceding the smoke-free policy, there
was no evidence of a reduction in workforce or the
amount of gaming.
• Based on the publicly available data from
the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the
implementation of a smoke-free policy did not harm
the Palace Casino.
• Palace Casino data are examined for the number
of employees, number of slot games, and number
of table games for fiscal years 2007/08-2013/14.
• Data are also examined for the total number of
employees, number of slot games, and number of
table games in the Coastal Region.
• The New Palace Casino implemented their smokefree policy in mid-June of 2011, and thus these data
provide post-policy data.
• Raw numbers of employees, slot games, and table
games are provided for the New Palace Casino.
• Percent of employees, slot games, and table games
in the Coastal Region that are housed in the New
Palace Casino are also provided.
These data illustrate the amount of the casino
market in the Coastal Region that the New Palace
Casino occupies.
cautionary note
• The number of employees, slot games, and
table games serve as a proxy for revenue
(because revenue data is not available) and
may not perfectly correlate with revenue.
• Although it is not possible to determine to
what extent the observed growth is due to the
renovation, increased gaming floor, and smokefree policy, these results clearly demonstrate
that the Palace Casino did not suffer as a result
of implementing a smoke-free policy.
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
4
A
Tobacco Smoke & Methods
f r o m t h e 2 013 m i s s i s s i p p i a i r q u a l i t y s t u d y r e p o r t
ccording to the Surgeon General, there is no safe
level of exposure to secondhand smoke1. Tobacco
smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of
which at least 69 cause cancer2. Acute risks of
secondhand smoke exposure include sudden infant
death syndrome, acute respiratory problems, otitis
media, increased asthma severity, and myocardial
infarction. The numerous chronic and acute harms
of tobacco smoke have been documented in many
literature reviews1,2.
a m e r i c a n h e a r t a s s o c i at i o n
Tobacco smoke causes about 46,000 heart disease
deaths and 3,400 lung cancer deaths. Studies show
that the risk of developing heart disease is about
25-30 percent higher among people exposed to
environmental tobacco smoke at home or work.
Secondhand smoke promotes illness, too. Children of
smokers have many more respiratory infections than
do children of nonsmokers. Nonsmoking women
exposed to tobacco smoke are also more likely to
have low-birthweight babies.
american cancer society
Secondhand smoke (SHS) is classified as a “known
human carcinogen” (cancer-causing agent) by the
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US
National Toxicology Program, and the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of
the World Health Organization.
Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000
chemical compounds. More than 250 of these
chemicals are known to be harmful, and at least 69
are known to cause cancer. SHS has been linked to
lung cancer. There is also some evidence suggesting
it may be linked with childhood leukemia and
cancers of the larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat),
brain, bladder, rectum, stomach, and breast.
u . s . e n v i r o n m e n ta l p r o t e c t i o n a g e n c y
Health studies have shown a significant
association between exposure to fine particles and
premature death from heart or lung disease. Fine
5
particles can aggravate heart and lung diseases and
have been linked to effects such as: cardiovascular
symptoms; cardiac arrhythmias; heart attacks;
respiratory symptoms; asthma attacks; and
bronchitis. These effects can result in increased
hospital admissions, emergency room visits,
absences from school or work, and restricted activity
days. Individuals that may be particularly sensitive
to fine particle exposure include people with heart or
lung disease, older adults, and children.
methods
n October through early December 2012,
I
indoor air quality was assessed in nine Mississippi
municipalities. We applied a purposeful convenience
sample rather than a random sample of venues
for logistic reasons. Also, a small random sample
of venues would unlikely be representative of the
entire population of venues in the state. Three of
the communities had 100% comprehensive smokefree ordinances (Clinton, Jackson, Pearl), three had
partial smoke-free ordinances (Gulfport, McComb,
Olive Branch), and three had no ordinance regarding
smoking (Biloxi, Cleveland, West Point). The results
reported here are from one smoke-free casino with
no observed smoking and three smoking-permitted
casinos with observed smoking.
microgr ams per cubic meter
(
/m 3)
Air quality is assessed based on Particulate Matter
(PM). The size of particles is directly linked to their
potential for causing health problems. Very small
particles generally pass through the throat and nose
and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles
can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious
health effects. Air quality levels are defined as the
mass of particulate matter ≤2.5 microns in diameter
in a volume of air: micrograms per cubic meter (μg/
m3). A microgram is one millionth of a gram. A cubic
meter (approximately 39” X 39” X 39”) describes
a volume of air that is about the size of a washing
machine.
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
Methods & References
f r o m t h e 2 013 m i s s i s s i p p i a i r q u a l i t y s t u d y r e p o r t
We used a TSI SidePak Monitor using the protocol
developed by the Roswell Park Cancer Institute4
to measure the concentration of fine particle air
pollution. The specific class of respirable suspended
particles (RSPs) monitored was particulate matter
≤2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), a commonly used
marker for tobacco smoke exposure5,6. Air quality
studies typically monitor particles of this size
because PM2.5 are released in significant amounts
from burning cigarettes, are easily inhaled deep
into the lungs, and cause a variety of adverse health
effects including cardiovascular and respiratory
morbidity and death.
t h e r o s w e l l pa r k c a n c e r i n s t i t u t e
protocol7
The number of people inside the venue and the
number of burning cigarettes were recorded during
sampling. These observations were averaged over
the time inside the venue to determine the average
number of people on the premises and the average
number of burning cigarettes. Room dimensions
were also determined using a combination a
counting of construction materials of a known size
such as floor tiles or estimation. Room volumes were
calculated from these dimensions. The active smoker
density was calculated by dividing the average
number of burning cigarettes by the volume of the
room in meters.
A TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor
(TSI, Inc., St. Paul, MN) was used to sample and
record the levels of respirable suspended particles in
the air. The SidePak uses a built-in sampling pump
to draw air through the device where the particulate
matter in the air scatters the light from a laser. This
portable light-scattering aerosol monitor was fitted
with a 2.5 μm impactor in order to measure the
concentration of particulate matter with a massmedian aerodynamic diameter less than or equal
to 2.5 μm, or PM2.5. Tobacco smoke particles are
almost exclusively less than 2.5 μm with a massmedian diameter of 0.2 μm. The Sidepak was used
with a calibration factor setting of 0.32, suitable
for secondhand smoke. In addition, the SidePak
was zero-calibrated prior to each use by attaching
a HEPA filter according to the manufacturer’s
specifications.
Sampling was discreet in order not to disturb the
occupants’ normal behavior. For each venue, the first
and last minute of logged data were removed because
they are averaged with outdoor and entryway air.
The remaining data points were averaged to provide
an average PM2.5 concentration within the venue.
references
1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The health consequences of involuntary exposure to
secondhand smoke: a report of the Surgeon General. 2006.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. How tobacco smoke causes disease: the biology and
behavioral basis from smoking-attributable disease - a report of the Surgeon General. 2010.
3. Travers M. Indoor Air Monitoring Protocol. Roswell Park Cancer Institute. 2006.
4. Connolly GN, Carpenter CM, Travers MJ, et al. How smoke-free laws improve air quality: a global study of
Irish pubs. Nicotine Tobacco Research, 2009;11:600–5.
5. (Link) --> CDC. Indoor air quality in hospitality venues before and after implementation of a clean indoor air
law—western New York, 2003. MMWR 2004;53:1038–41.
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
6
u s e pa a i r Q u a l i t y i n D e X
Air Qualit y
PM 2.5
(μg/m3)
≥251
People wit h he ar t or lung dise ase, older adult s, and
children should remain indoors and ke ep activit y
levels low. Ever yone else should avoid all physical
activit y out doors.
151-250
People wit h he ar t or lung dise ase, older adult s,
and children should a void all physical activit y
out doors. Ever yone else should avoid prolonge d
or he av y exer tion.
Unhealthy
66 -150
People wit h he ar t or lung dise ase, older adult s,
and children should avoid prolonge d or he a v y
exer tion. Ever yone else should re duce prolonge d
or he av y exer tion.
Unhealthy for
S ensitive Groups
41- 65
People wit h he ar t or lung dise ase, older adult s, and
children should re duce prolonge d or he a v y exer tion.
Moderat e
16 -40
Unusuall y sensitive p e ople should consider
re ducing prolonge d or he av y exer tion.
Good
≤15
None.
Hazardous
Ver y
Unhealthy
source
7
Health Advisor y
:
the 2013 mississippi air quality study report
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
smoke-free
|
pa l ac e c a s i n o
Smoke-‐Free Biloxi Casino 160
140
ai r Qualit y i n D eX
120
Ver y Unhe alt hy
PM2.5 PM2.5
100
Very Unhealthy Unhe
alt hy
Unhealthy 80
Unhealthy or Sensi9ve Groups Unhe
altfhy
for S ensitive
Groups
Moderate M o derat e
60
Good Goo d
Air Quality 40
Air Q ualit y
20
0
14:46:18 14:48:48 14:51:18 14:53:48 14:56:18 14:58:48 15:01:18 15:03:48 15:06:18 15:08:48 Time TIME
PM2.5 = 1.3 μg/m3
This PM2.5 level is wit hin t he current U.S. Environment al
Prot e ction Agenc y ’s t hreshold for Goo d Air Q ualit y.
source
:
venue 30
the 2013 mississippi air quality study report
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
8
smoking allowed
|
b i loXi c as i n o
Smoking Allowed Biloxi Casino 160
140
120
ai r Qualit y i n D eX
Ver y Unhe althy
PM2.5 PM2.5
100
Very Unhealthy Unhe
althy
Unhealthy 80
Unhealthy for Sensi8ve Groups Unhe
althy
for S ensitive
Groups
Moderate M o derat e
60
Good Goo
d
Air Quality 40
Air Q ualit y
20
0
22:12:59 22:15:29 22:17:59 22:20:29 22:22:59 22:25:29 22:27:59 Time TIME
PM2.5 = 57.9 μg/m3
This PM2.5 level exce e ds the current U.S. Environment al Prot e ction
Agenc y ’s t hreshold for Unhe alt hy for S e nsit ive Groups Air Q ualit y.
venue 29
source
9
:
the 2013 mississippi air quality study report
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
s m o k iSmoking n g a lA
lo
w e dBiloxi | bCiasino loXi c as i n o
llowed 160
140
ai r Qualit y i n D eX
120
Ver y Unhe althy
Very Unhealthy PM2.5
PM2.5 100
Unhe alt hy
Unhealthy 80
Unhe
althy ffor
S ensitive
Groups
Unhealthy or Sensi9ve Groups M oModerate derat e
60
GoGood od
40
AirAir QQualit
uality y
20
0
21:21:04 21:23:34 21:26:04 21:28:34 21:31:04 21:33:34 Time TIME
PM2.5 = 4 4.9 μg/m3
This PM2.5 level exce e ds the current U.S. Environment al Prot e ction
Agenc y ’s t hreshold for Unhe alt hy for S e nsit ive Groups Air Q ualit y.
venue 28
}
f o r
source
m o r e
:
the 2013 mississippi air quality study report
i n f o r m a t i o n
c o n t a c t
Robert McMillen, Ph.D.
Social Science Research Center
Mississippi State University
ro b e r t . mc m i l l e n @ s s rc . ms s tat e . e d u
One Research Blvd., Suite 103
P: 662.325.7127
Starkville, MS 39759
F: 662.325.7966
w w w. s s rc . ms s tat e . e d u
w w w. ms s tat e . e d u
ms to bacco data . o rg
Air Quality & Workforce at the Smoke-Free Palace Casino : January 2015
10