Atlantic City Casino Workers Seek Support for Smoking Ban from Governor Candidates

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Casino workers in Atlantic City are pushing for a complete ban on smoking inside casinos and are asking both the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor to back the effort. The group Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) has been actively campaigning for a smoke-free environment in gambling halls, citing concerns over worker health. The group has organized protests and brought workers to state hearings to urge lawmakers to pass legislation banning smoking in casinos.
Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign stated that decisions about smoking policies should be made by employers and unions. On the other hand, Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill supports protecting casino workers' health and is also focused on economic development and housing improvements in Atlantic City. Governor Phil Murphy has promised to sign a smoking ban once legislation is passed, but the bill has been stalled in the Legislature for months. The current legislative proposal would allow smoking only in limited areas of casinos, such as unenclosed slot machine sections far from table games and ventilated smoking rooms, with worker protections. Casino operators warn that a full smoking ban could result in job losses and decreased revenue, with estimates ranging up to 2,500 jobs and nearly 11% of casino income. However, more recent studies suggest the negative impact of smoking restrictions may be decreasing over time.