Pennsylvania Casino Smoking Ban Bill in Trouble Following New Jersey Ruling

Article by : Erik Gibbs Sep 4, 2024

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A bill aimed at banning smoking inside Pennsylvania’s casinos is facing uncertainty following a recent ruling in New Jersey. The decision, made by a New Jersey judge, allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, a move that has added complexity to Pennsylvania’s own efforts to eliminate smoking in gaming establishments.

Members of the group Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) have been vocal in their advocacy, urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to prioritize the health of casino workers over the interests of the gaming industry. The group’s efforts have been ongoing, especially after Allegheny County Democratic Representative Dan Frankel introduced a bill last September to ban smoking in state casinos.

Frankel has remained steadfast in his commitment to push the bill forward despite the New Jersey ruling. He emphasized that the court’s decision across state lines should not deter Pennsylvania’s efforts. Frankel expressed hope that the ruling would increase pressure on Pennsylvania legislators to support his bill, which aims to protect workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke in the workplace.

CEASE Pennsylvania, drawing inspiration from their New Jersey counterparts, has vowed to continue the fight. Jen Rubolino, a table games dealer at Rivers Casino and a co-leader of CEASE Pennsylvania, highlighted that the New Jersey ruling serves as a stark reminder of the challenges casino workers face nationwide. She argued that all casino workers deserve a smoke-free environment, not just those in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

The bill, known as HB 1657, quickly passed through a House committee last November but has since stalled. A hearing to pass amendments to the bill was scheduled for April but was removed from the agenda, and no new timetable has been set for further action.

CEASE members have been relentless in their advocacy, recently protesting at the National Council of Legislators for Gaming States meetings in Pittsburgh. They aimed to bring their concerns directly to the decision-makers, emphasizing that casino workers should not have to choose between their health and their paycheck.

In the Garden State, the fight against smoking in casinos is far from over, despite the recent court setback. Lamont White, a co-founder of CEASE and a longtime Atlantic City casino table games dealer, expressed disappointment but vowed to continue the battle. The group plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court, seeking an expedited hearing to push their case forward.

While the New Jersey ruling does not directly affect Pennsylvania’s legislative process, the proximity and shared concerns between the two states could potentially influence the outcome in the Keystone State. CEASE Pennsylvania and its supporters remain hopeful that their bill will gain traction and eventually be brought back on the agenda for further consideration.