As the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) proposes updates to licensing requirements for casinos and racetracks, advocates are calling for smokefree policies.
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) and Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) are calling for the inclusion of smokefree 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 smokefree facilities.
In a comment submitted to the New Jersey DGE, Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of ANR, said: “Ensuring that all casinos are smokefree 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 smokefree 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 smokefree, 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.”
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