Pressure is mounting by non-smoking advocates and casino employees to totally ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos. That pandemic ban ended in April.
The unexpected election defeat of State Senate President Steve Sweeney to a little-known Republican was believed to be the impetus that would get lawmakers moving. But top political leadership—including Sweeney, the second most powerful politician—is in no hurry to effect a ban, according to the Associated Press.
A bill languishes in the statehouse even as Governor Phil Murphy indicated if the bill lands on his desk, he’ll sign it.
“We haven’t even started to talk about it, really, in any deep dialog,” Sweeney said before an appearance at a groundbreaking ceremony for a supermarket in Atlantic City. “The governor, myself and the (Assembly) speaker have to get together and decide which bills we’re going to move forward.
This is the last hurrah for Sweeney, however. He was upset in the recent election and will not return as a senator.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network released a poll it commissioned that showed New Jersey residents favor banning smoking in the casinos by a margin of greater than 2-to-1.
“We’re glad that New Jersey voters agree that we should not have to choose between our health and a paycheck,” said Robin Vitulle, a dealer supervisor in Atlantic City for more than 36 years. “From our experiences, our customers have no problem stepping outside to smoke because they must do so everywhere else. Then they come back inside and continue to gamble.”
New Jersey’s law banning smoking in most indoor places specifically exempts portions of the casinos.
“Right now, our policy that allows smoking in casinos, but bans smoking outside the casino doors on Atlantic City boardwalks and beaches, is not only inconsistent, it is inconsiderate and unfair to casino workers,” said state Senator Shirley Turner, a central Jersey Democrat. “In this day and age, secondhand smoke should not be an occupational hazard.”
Earlier this year, the Casino Association of New Jersey, the trade group representing the Atlantic City casinos, said a permanent ban would do great harm to the industry.
