Soon, New Jersey legislators will examine a bill that would prohibit smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos, the first action in nearly three years on a contentious subject that is dividing casino clients and making some employees ill.
According to Sen. Joseph Vitale, one of the bill’s sponsors, the state Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee will host a hearing on February 13 in Trenton to examine the bill, but will not vote on it that day.
The bill would address a loophole in the 2006 New Jersey legislation prohibiting smoking indoors, which exempts casinos. At present, smoking is permitted on up to 25 percent of the casino floor.
Employees in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are waging comparable campaigns to stop casino smoking.
Many casino employees have advocated for years for a total smoking ban, claiming that secondhand smoke makes them sick.
The casinos are concerned that a total smoking ban will have a negative impact on income and employment, however smoking opponents reject this claim.
This hearing brings casino employees in Atlantic City one step closer to not having to choose between their health and their paycheck, according to Cynthia Hallett, president and chief executive officer of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights. “This is a watershed moment in the battle to protect the health of tens of thousands of New Jersey employees. “Dealers are exposed to secondhand smoke more severely than any other casino employee, and their voices must carry the most weight.”
Vitale stated that the purpose of the hearing is to promote “a comprehensive discussion with the committee on how this law will impact casino employees, customers, and the gambling industry.”
Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, has pledged to approve the law if it passes the legislature.
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