Summary:
- New Jersey Senate health committee approves smoking ban.
- All nine casinos would be affected by the ban.
- Casino employees gathered outside the capital to show support for the ban.
It’s been three years, and the state of New Jersey still offers smoking, despite a major effort to ban the activity within the state’s gaming venues. Legislation has been introduced time and time again, only to be shot down by lawmakers.
This year, a bill that would close a loophole in the state’s indoor smoking legislation seems to show promise. The New Jersey Senate health committee has approved a bill this week and will move on to further consideration within the Legislature.
First Step in Several Approvals
The approval by the health committee is the first step in a series of steps that must be completed to see the bill turn into law. Smoking is allowed on 25% of the casino floor of each venue in Atlantic City. However, the spaces do not hold the vapor, and the smoke moves through other gaming floor areas, no matter the operators’ efforts to control it.
Casinos are currently exempt from the 2006 law that bans smoking in other workplaces. Employees and proponents of non-smoking have been trying for years to see changes made to the law so casinos are included in the ban.
As the bill moves forward, other legislators are trying to find a way to create a compromise so that casinos and employees are happy. Senator Vince Polistina has stated he will draft a new measure incorporating compromises that would benefit vulnerable citizens and help with any job issues due to a smoking ban. Still, such legislation has not been introduced as of yet.
The measure now goes on to a full Senate vote, and an identical measure must be approved by a committee in the Assembly and voted on within the full chamber. The bill will reach Governor Phil Murphy’s desk if all goes to plan. The governor says he will sign any legislation about a smoking ban if it lands on his desk.
Tensions are High
After the vote, many casino employees and opponents of the smoking ban had words. Tensions were high outside the New Jersey capitol as everyone wanted their say on the matter. Both sides were screaming at each other as to why the opposite side was right in the smoking fight.
Casino workers unions and business groups say a smoking ban would be catastrophic to the economy and cost the city and region jobs and revenue. Casino employees say that their health matters, along with the health of patrons who want to enjoy a smoke-free environment.
Both sides feel strongly about their ideas on the subject and will continue to fight for the outcome they feel is correct. We shall see in the coming weeks if additional lawmakers approve the legislation or if it is back to square one in the fight for nonsmoking in Atlantic City casinos.
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