This bill would eliminate an exception in the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act that allows for smoking in certain casino gaming areas. In Atlantic City, smoking is currently allowed on 25% of the casino floor.
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This bill has bipartisan support.
The hearing of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee drew a standing-room-only crowd at the State House in Trenton.
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A group called CEASE - Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects - was heavily represented, as well as UAW, the union that represents dealers.
Many of them spoke about the effects of secondhand smoke and friends and coworkers who have been diagnosed with cancer.
"I was at a funeral for a 54-year-old dealer on Tuesday. Non-smoker, died of lung and thyroid cancer. The sad stories are over. The facts are in, there is no compromise," said Patrick Ashton, a UAW International Representative.
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"Since the pandemic, the casinos haven't made one attempt to make us feel a little bit better," said Nicole Vitola, a dealer with Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects. "They still keep these ashtrays right on the tables ready for anybody to light up as an advertisement. Here you go sir have a cigarette."
Several commerce organizations spoke in opposition to the smoking ban, including the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce and the Casino Association of New Jersey, as well as Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr.
They say eliminating smoking will hurt revenue and endanger jobs.
"Fewer people will come to Atlantic City if there is a complete ban. Fewer people will come to AC, fewer people will eat there, drink there, buy things, stay there," said Joe Dougherty with the Casino Association of New Jersey. "There will be a reduction in jobs. There will be a reduction in development. There will be negative economic impact."
The Senate health committee plans to vote next month, and then the bill still has to go through several more steps after that.
Governor Phil Murphy has said if the bill makes it to his desk, he intends to sign it.