Workers wait as New Jersey legislators discuss casino smoking ban

It is often said that people who really want something wait with bated breath for it. But for the large group of Atlantic City casino workers who have been waiting 17 years for state legislators to consider ending casino smoking, it’s almost literally true.

Dealers, waiters and other casino workers – some of them with breathing problems and other health problems they suspect are linked to passive smoking by casino patrons – are looking forward to Monday’s hearing before a New Jersey Senate committee on legislation to ban smoking in Atlantic City. nine casinos.

The bill would close a loophole in the state’s 2006 indoor smoking law, written specifically to exempt casinos from indoor smoking bans. Currently, smoking is allowed in 25% of the casino area in Atlantic City.

Whether to ban smoking is one of the most contentious issues not only in Atlantic City casinos, but also in other states where workers have expressed concerns about secondhand smoke. They run similar campaigns in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The New Jersey Casino Association, an Atlantic City casino trade group, has long opposed the smoking ban, predicting it will cost the industry jobs and revenues. But anti-smokers dispute those claims, citing a study by Las Vegas-based C3 Gaming that found that non-smoking casinos in several markets currently outperform those where smoking is allowed.

Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts Casino and head of the trading group, did not respond to a request for comment prior to Monday’s hearing.

Casinos also note that they have spent millions on ventilation and other air purification systems. Workers and health industry representatives argue that levels of secondhand smoke are not considered safe for humans.

Support for smoking bans is widespread among New Jersey legislators, with identical smoke-free bills being sponsored or supported by 51 Assembly members and 23 state senators representing bipartisan majorities in both houses.

Bills have repeatedly been introduced in the Legislative Assembly, only to lie untouched for several years, not only without a vote, but even without discussion.

This discussion is to take place on Monday afternoon, although there will be no voting on that day.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, promised to sign the bill if it passes the Legislature.

Subscribe to our News bulletin to receive the latest news in your inbox.