Atlantic City Casino Workers Rally Against Indoor Smoking Exemption
Casino Workers and Health Advocates Unite
Groups including Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), United Auto Workers (UAW), and various public health supporters gathered in New Jersey to rally against a legal exemption that allows smoking inside casinos. Their efforts gained attention as a lawsuit challenging this exemption was scheduled for a hearing in the appellate court.
Ongoing Opposition to Indoor Smoking in Casinos
Anti-smoking campaigns have struggled to eliminate the exemption that lets gaming floors operate with smoking allowed, exposing employees to harmful secondhand smoke. This has resulted in poor air quality within casino environments, which has raised serious health concerns for staff members.
CEASE has presented strong evidence linking this smoky environment to serious health issues and even fatalities among casino workers. The organization emphasizes that no one should have to choose between their job and their health.
“Secondhand smoke causes deadly diseases, yet workers in casinos continue to suffer without enough protective measures,” said Lamon White, a table games dealer in Atlantic City and CEASE co-founder. “They keep delaying action, telling us to wait for legislative solutions, but after years of effort since 2021, the legislature has failed to deliver.”
White highlighted that although there is bipartisan agreement supporting the removal of the smoking exemption, economic fears about impacting casino competitiveness have stalled political progress.
Seeking Judicial Intervention to End Smoking Exemption
Despite legislative inaction, CEASE maintains that eliminating the exemption will not harm casino revenues. They reference studies from other states demonstrating reduced smoking rates in casinos without negative financial effects.
Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing CEASE and UAW, stated, “We urge the court to declare the smoking exemption unconstitutional and revoke it immediately. This case could set an important example for casinos nationwide to close smoking loopholes and protect their workers from toxic exposure.”
However, in 2024, Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels dismissed the plaintiffs’ argument that the exemption violated the state constitution. He noted that smoking has historically been allowed in casinos and suggested that individuals have the option not to work there if they oppose it.
