A powerful New Jersey Republican leader is joining the push to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos. The debate over indoor smoking in the nine Atlantic City resorts has been ongoing for years, but Democrats have delayed action on the issue despite previous legislative support for a smoking ban.
The bill, known as Assembly Bill 2143, has been stalled in the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee at the direction of Democratic leaders. However, there is growing bipartisan support for the measure, with 43 Assembly sponsors backing the bill – enough to pass the 80-seat legislative chamber.
Republican leaders, including Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio and Assembly Republican Whip Brian Bergen, have expressed their support for the smoking ban. They argue that protecting workers from harmful secondhand smoke exposure should be a top priority, especially given New Jersey’s restrictions on smoking in outdoor locations like beaches and parks.
Despite concerns from the Atlantic City gaming industry about job layoffs and reduced tax revenue, supporters of the smoking ban believe that the health and safety of casino employees should take precedence. With President-elect Donald Trump winning a significant share of the vote in New Jersey, Republicans are making gains in the traditionally Democratic state and are eager to see action on the smoking ban bill.
The bill has also garnered support in the Senate, with 15 co-sponsors joining Senators Shirley Turner and Joseph Vitale in backing Senate Bill 1493. The continued delays in addressing casino smoking have frustrated supporters of the ban, who argue that the time for action is now.
As the debate over indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos continues, it remains to be seen whether Democratic leaders will heed the calls for a smoking ban or if the issue will remain mired in political controversy. The health and well-being of casino workers hang in the balance as legislators weigh the economic concerns of the gaming industry against the need for a smoke-free environment.
