Atlantic City casino workers are urging New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to address the casino smoking issue during his 2025 State of the State Address. The workers, represented by CEASE (Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects), want the governor to push legislators to end the smoking loophole that currently exists in New Jersey's casinos.

The current New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, enacted in 2006, exempts casinos and parimutuel wagering facilities from smoking restrictions. Casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games can designate indoor smoking areas.

While Governor Murphy has expressed support for smoke-free casinos, he hasn't actively pressured the Democratic-controlled Legislature to pass relevant legislation. Two bills (Assembly Bill 2143 and Senate Bill 3372) aimed at eliminating the casino smoking exemption have stalled in committee.

Casino industry representatives argue that a smoking ban would negatively impact gaming revenue and employment. However, CEASE counters this claim by pointing to successful smoke-free facilities like Parx Casino in Pennsylvania, which leads the state in gaming revenue despite being one of only two smoke-free casinos in Pennsylvania.

Lamont White, CEASE co-founder and Borgata table games dealer, emphasizes that Murphy's legacy depends on addressing this issue before leaving office. The organization formed after Murphy's temporary COVID-19 smoking ban expired in summer 2021, and they continue to advocate for permanent smoke-free policies to protect casino workers' health.

CEASE urges immediate action, stating that the timing is perfect with upcoming Senate meetings and growing momentum around the issue. They argue that failing to act now will tarnish Murphy's legacy and continue exposing thousands of workers to harmful secondhand smoke.

Related Articles

Previous Articles