Atlantic City casino workers have new powerful ally in anti-smoking campaign

Article by : Charles Perrin Nov 18, 2024

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New Jersey casino workers will feel like they may have turned a corner in their bid to ban smoking at indoor land-based establishments following the support of further Republicans.

The debate over legislation has raged on for years without a satisfactory conclusion for Atlantic City casino workers.

Although there has been plenty of support garnered for the initiative in the past, Democrats have been accused of trying to stall the process over the past couple of years.

Indeed, the measure has been mothballed in the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee, with the committee chair ordered to delay the vote on the smoking ban proposal.

But the desire to kick out smoking from land-based casinos has been high on the Garden State Republicans’ (GOP) agenda.

President-elect Donald Trump gained more than 46% of the vote in New Jersey earlier this month, representing the highest return for a Republican presidential candidate in the state since 1988 when George H.W. Bush claimed the keys to the White House.

In September, Assembly Minority leader John DiMaio (R -Warren), insisted that the casino smoking ban bill needs to be pushed over the line sooner rather than later.

He said: “If Democrats are serious about protecting workers, Republicans are ready to help pass the bill. We need legislative action, not excuses.”

And last week, Assembly Republican Whip Brian Bergen stuck a similar tone when throwing his weight behind the initiative.

He said: “Leaving the casino smoking ban bill off the Tourism Committee’s agenda is more than an oversight. It’s an insult.

“There is enough support from both sides of the aisle to advance this bill. The speaker has no excuse not to take immediate action to ban harmful secondhand smoke exposure at casinos.

“Casino employees have waited long enough for a healthy workplace. New Jersey has applied the ban on smoking to outdoor locations, on beaches, and in parks, but Democrats can’t get behind expediting expanded protections for casino workers. It’s inexplicable.”

While AB2143 is starting to generate support, nothing can be taken for granted. This story still has a few more chapters to run.