New Study Highlights Health Risks from Smoking in New Jersey Casinos
Study Reveals Harmful Air Quality in Atlantic City Casinos
A recent air quality study in New Jersey targeted specific locations, focusing primarily on the casino floors in Atlantic City. The findings raise concerns about the safety and health conditions inside these gaming venues.
Secondhand Smoke Creates Dangerous Environments
According to Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, a prominent advocacy group, casinos often claim to use advanced air filtration systems to maintain clean air. However, the group argues that these claims are misleading and that current ventilation does not effectively eliminate secondhand smoke on the casino floors.
The organization emphasizes that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems cannot adequately address the issue of harmful smoke exposure for both customers and employees.
The health risks posed by casinos permitting indoor smoking have been known for several years. Nevertheless, the casino industry continues to insist that prohibiting smoking will harm their business. This stance contradicts evidence from places like the nearby Parx Casino, which successfully transitioned to a smoke-free environment without losing patrons.
Prioritizing short-term profits over long-term public health remains a critical concern, the group notes.
Additionally, health experts such as Terry Gordon, a pulmonary toxicologist from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, confirm the severe impact that air pollution—especially from secondhand smoke—has on people’s respiratory systems.
Expert Opinions and Calls for Change
Dr. Gordon explains that patrons and workers in smoking-allowed casinos inhale harmful substances like nicotine and carbon monoxide, which leave measurable traces—biomarkers—in their bodies. He highlights that the casino environment includes more vulnerable individuals compared to a typical workplace, increasing health risks.
Despite widespread recommendations and public calls to ban smoking inside casino floors, progress has been slow. Some New Jersey state officials have expressed support for smoke-free environments, but casinos argue that economic recovery from the pandemic makes such changes difficult at this time.
Opponents of this view argue that no reliable data shows a decline in revenue after implementing indoor smoking bans, urging casinos to prioritize public health over outdated business concerns.
