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Casino worker files suit against tobacco companies

Tuesday, April 7, 1998 | 8:48 a.m.

The lawsuit by Arlene Christensen seeks class-action status.

The lawsuit claims Christensen has worked at casinos since 1956 and has developed chronic bronchitis and respiratory ailments despite never having smoked.

The suit contends that nonsmokers at casinos are innocent victims who had no choice because smoke was a constant in their work environment.

The lawsuit is the second filed by casino workers against tobacco companies.

Defendants in Christensen's lawsuit include various tobacco companies and organizations that studied, promoted and marketed tobacco products.

According to the lawsuit, the organizations produced and distributed cigarettes knowing they caused cancer, emphysema, infertility, lung disease, ulcers and other ailments.

The lawsuit seeks at least $40,000 in damages to pay the health care costs of any of the thousands of potential plaintiffs. The lawsuit also asks that casinos be forced to retrofit their buildings to improve ventilation systems, sparing their employees the hazards of secondhand smoke.

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