Hearing on Atlantic City Casino Smoking Uncovers Disagreement Between Management and Employees

Casino workers in Atlantic City have been calling for an end to indoor smoking for quite some time, highlighting the risks to their health associated with second-hand smoke. This week, the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 264, which would close the loophole that was formed in 2006 when New Jersey passed its Smoke-Free Air Act. Those in favor of the bill maintain that table game dealers are unable to stay clear of hazardous smoke, while opponents worry that doing away with indoor smoking would cause a decrease in gambling revenue. CEASE, a grassroots campaign, is pushing to eliminate casino smoking not only in Atlantic City, but also in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Rhode Island.