New Jersey lawmakers will quickly talk about a proposed regulation that might ban smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos, the primary motion in almost three years on an emotional subject that’s dividing on line casino patrons and sickening some employees.
The state Senate Well being, Human Companies and Senior Residents Committee will maintain a listening to Feb. 13 in Trenton to talk about the invoice, however doesn’t plan to vote on it that day, in accordance to Sen. Joseph Vitale, one of many measure’s sponsors.
The invoice would shut a loophole in New Jersey’s 2006 indoor smoking regulation that exempts casinos. At present, smoking is allowed on up to 25% of the on line casino flooring.
Related pushes to finish on line casino smoking are being waged by staff in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Many on line casino employees have been pushing for years for a complete ban on on line casino smoking, saying the secondhand smoke is making them in poor health.
The casinos worry a complete smoking ban would price the business income and jobs, though smoking opponents dispute that assertion.
“This hearing means that Atlantic City casino workers are one step closer to not having to choose between their health and a paycheck,” said Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights. “It’s a historic moment in the fight to protect the health of thousands of New Jersey workers. Dealers bear the brunt of the dangerous secondhand smoke more harshly than anyone else working in casinos, and their voices must carry the most weight.”
Vitale stated the listening to is meant to foster “a radical dialogue with the committee on how this invoice will have an effect on on line casino staff, clients and the gaming business.”
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has promised to signal the invoice if it passes the Legislature.
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