Push To Ban Smoking At Atlantic City Casinos Gains Momentum
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There is growing bipartisan support for ending the special exemption for Atlantic City casinos to offer smoking sections on gaming floors. 11 Assembly members, including six Democrats and five Republicans, have signed on to co-sponsor bill A2151. The bill is supported by both Democrats who control the state Senate and Assembly and the governor’s office.
The push to ban smoking at Atlantic City casinos is gaining momentum. The Casino Association of New Jersey claims that a ban could lead to the loss of 2,500 jobs. Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights says the bill is politically popular. Four of the 13 Senate sponsors are Republicans. Four casinos closed in South Jersey in 2014 and another one followed in 2016. 13 out of 40 senators are either primary or co-sponsors of this legislation.
The push to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos gained the backing of state Senator Richard Codey. Code was governor in 2006 when he signed into law the indoor smoking ban in commercial establishments. The law allows for smoking only in up to 20% of the gaming floor space.
