New Jersey Lawmakers to Discuss Casino Smoking Ban Next Week

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 24, 2023

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State legislators are set to conduct a hearing next week regarding a proposed bill aimed at overturning the exemption allowing smoking in casinos.

The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee have slated the bill for a hearing at 1 PM on November 30, as indicated on the Legislature’s schedule. This bill is one of 11 pieces of legislation the committee plans to address during the session.

Half of the committee’s eight members are already sponsors or co-sponsors of the bill.

The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the exemption for casinos in New Jersey’s indoor smoking ban, established in 2006, which currently permits smoking on 25% of a casino floor.

Governor Phil Murphy has expressed his willingness to sign the bill if it gains approval from the Legislature.

According to a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office, Christi Peace, Governor Murphy continues to endorse a smoking ban in New Jersey’s casinos.

As of Monday, both bills were still under consideration in committees in both the Senate and Assembly. A schedule for a hearing on the legislation has not been determined yet.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin commented that there might be room for negotiations regarding some of the issues in the bills. However, he emphasized that the core principle would be advocating for the well-being of employees and the public.

During a recent news conference, Coughlin (D-Middlesex) also indicated that lawmakers are likely to consider the bill during the Legislature’s lame-duck period, occurring between Election Day and the legislative reorganization.

Advocates for casino workers have been urging lawmakers to take up the bill, contending that doing so would safeguard their health by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke.

Meanwhile, casino executives argue that the industry could face substantial financial losses, resulting in around 3,000 job layoffs and potential casino closures.

A Stockton University poll published in April 2022 revealed that approximately two-thirds of New Jersey residents support a smoking ban in casinos.

In October, CEASE, or Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, had been at the forefront of the grassroots movement to eliminate indoor smoking in Atlantic City.

The organization conveyed to Casino.org that, although the delay poses additional health risks to casino employees, they welcome the reports indicating that legislative action is forthcoming.

In a statement, CEASE expressed encouragement regarding the news that the Senate plans to vote on bipartisan legislation to end indoor smoking in workplaces later this year.

The statement emphasized that for over 17 years, casino workers in New Jersey have been compelled to choose between their health and a paycheck.

CEASE found any compromise on health unacceptable and appreciates the commitment from the bill sponsors to reject any attempts to dilute the legislation. Since then, the movement to ban smoking from casinos has remained consistent.