As the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) proposes updates to licensing requirements for casinos and racetracks, advocates are calling for smoke-free policies.
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) and Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) are calling for the inclusion of smoke-free policies “to protect both workers and patrons from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.”
The proposal would require that all licensed casino properties in Atlantic City operate as completely smoke-free facilities.
In a comment submitted to the New Jersey DGE, Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of ANR, said: “Ensuring that all casinos are smoke-free would ensure workers aren’t forced to choose between their livelihood and their health, and it would give patrons a chance to enjoy the Atlantic City experience without inhaling harmful toxins.
“We urge the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to make smokefree policies a key part of the licensing process for all casinos in Atlantic City.”
CEASE co-founders and Atlantic City casino dealers, Nicole Vitola, Pete Naccarelli and Lamont White, said in a submitted comment: “We’re asking the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to require that every licensed casino hotel in Atlantic City operate as a smoke-free facility. Why? Because workers and patrons deserve better than exposure to harmful toxins just to enjoy a night out or a paycheck.
“By requiring that all licensed casino properties are smoke-free, New Jersey would not be ahead of the curve; it would simply be keeping up with the times. Across the country, more and more industries are making the responsible choice to create safer, healthier workplaces. Casinos shouldn’t be an exception.”
