New Jersey casino workers optimistic about smoke-free future
Date: 2023-10-05 Author: Kirill Zagoruyko Categories: CASINO
New Jersey lawmakers are considering a smoking ban at Atlantic City casinos, and casino officials are hopeful the change could become a reality later this year.
CEASE advocates for a smoking ban in casinos in all states
Pete Naccarelli, co-founder of CEASE, expressed confidence in the ongoing discussions with policymakers in a statement to CDC Gaming Reports. Naccarelli noted that 83 of the 120 members of the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate are currently in favor of bills aimed at repealing the casino smoking provision. However, he noted that despite this support, the bills have not yet been brought to a vote.
The movement for smoke-free casinos is not limited to New Jersey. CEASE has expanded its reach to eight states, including Nevada, where a similar bill is pending. The organization's efforts gained momentum after a committee hearing on a bill to ban smoking in Pennsylvania casinos was held earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, in August, CEASE praised Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino for their decisions to maintain smoke-free environments on their casino floors. CEASE called the move proof that the smoking ban does not have a negative impact on casino profits. However, this position met resistance from Spectrum Gaming Group, which suggested that smokers should avoid casinos without smoking areas. Casinos in New Jersey, meanwhile, have disputed those claims, arguing that their revenue was impacted by online gaming, not the smoking ban.
Jennifer Rubolino, a board game vendor at Rivers Pittsburgh, shared her experience, calling the smoke "overwhelming." She noted that the smoke not only affects employees, but also enters non-smoking areas, causing health problems for everyone.
CEASE hopes to inspire a nationwide movement for clean casino air
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long advocated stopping smoking in public places, emphasizing the health risks associated with secondhand smoke. CEASE members argue that exempting casino floors from clean room laws is contrary to the principles of a safe work environment.
CEASE's commitment to a smoke-free environment is gaining momentum, with several tribal and commercial casinos voluntarily going smoke-free in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parx in Philadelphia, a leading casino in Pennsylvania, is one such example where the ban had no negative impact on revenues. Lamont White, another co-founder of CEASE, explained that their protests are not against the casinos themselves, but against state laws that force workers and customers to endure smoke exposure.
White dismissed his opponents' claims as outdated and baseless. CEASE members believe that by pushing for these changes in Atlantic City, they can inspire other states to follow suit, ultimately creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for casino employees across the country.
CEASE advocates for a smoking ban in casinos in all states
Pete Naccarelli, co-founder of CEASE, expressed confidence in the ongoing discussions with policymakers in a statement to CDC Gaming Reports. Naccarelli noted that 83 of the 120 members of the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate are currently in favor of bills aimed at repealing the casino smoking provision. However, he noted that despite this support, the bills have not yet been brought to a vote.
The movement for smoke-free casinos is not limited to New Jersey. CEASE has expanded its reach to eight states, including Nevada, where a similar bill is pending. The organization's efforts gained momentum after a committee hearing on a bill to ban smoking in Pennsylvania casinos was held earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, in August, CEASE praised Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino for their decisions to maintain smoke-free environments on their casino floors. CEASE called the move proof that the smoking ban does not have a negative impact on casino profits. However, this position met resistance from Spectrum Gaming Group, which suggested that smokers should avoid casinos without smoking areas. Casinos in New Jersey, meanwhile, have disputed those claims, arguing that their revenue was impacted by online gaming, not the smoking ban.
Jennifer Rubolino, a board game vendor at Rivers Pittsburgh, shared her experience, calling the smoke "overwhelming." She noted that the smoke not only affects employees, but also enters non-smoking areas, causing health problems for everyone.
CEASE hopes to inspire a nationwide movement for clean casino air
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long advocated stopping smoking in public places, emphasizing the health risks associated with secondhand smoke. CEASE members argue that exempting casino floors from clean room laws is contrary to the principles of a safe work environment.
CEASE's commitment to a smoke-free environment is gaining momentum, with several tribal and commercial casinos voluntarily going smoke-free in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parx in Philadelphia, a leading casino in Pennsylvania, is one such example where the ban had no negative impact on revenues. Lamont White, another co-founder of CEASE, explained that their protests are not against the casinos themselves, but against state laws that force workers and customers to endure smoke exposure.
White dismissed his opponents' claims as outdated and baseless. CEASE members believe that by pushing for these changes in Atlantic City, they can inspire other states to follow suit, ultimately creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for casino employees across the country.
