Atlantic City smoking bill prompts fresh job concerns

Article by : Charles Perrin Feb 5, 2024

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Atlantic City casinos in New Jersey appear to be one step closer to becoming smoke-free in the future, but that has done little to diminish worries arising over potential job losses.

Last week, the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee gave their thumbs up to S1493 that will have no doubt delighted supporters who have long campaigned for eliminating cigarette smoke inside land-based establishments.

With the prospective bill set to move onto the Senate Committee for another reading, there are some who still have underlying concerns.

Among them include Donna DeCaprio, the president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union representing bartenders, room cleaners, and others.

DeCaprio has revealed the bill could see as many as 3,000 casino workers laid off, and she thinks this could have serious implications in the long term.

She said: “In South Jersey, there are no replacement jobs of this caliber.

“A total ban is going to result in an economic catastrophe for Atlantic City, the region and the state.”

Christina Renna, the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in Southern New Jersey, concurred.

She said: “I think that’s a real disservice to this conversation. The smoking ban is without question, but it has a unique impact on the South Jersey region.”

To try and alleviate such worries, the Casino Association of New Jersey said it was trying to “find a meaningful compromise” so as to address concerns of employees without jeopardizing jobs.

While casinos were originally left out of the New Jersey 2006 indoor smoking ban, there is a groundswell of opinion trying to turn the tide.

In the meantime, keeping all parties happy remains a fine balancing act, and it will be a case of waiting to see how this bill unfolds.