New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has encouraged legislators to advance critical legislation regarding smoking regulations in Atlantic City casinos. In an interview with The Press of Atlantic City, she emphasized the importance of addressing this matter through legislative channels instead of judicial avenues.
Sherrill plans to collaborate with legislative leaders to establish a timeline for discussing long-standing bills aimed at either completely prohibiting smoking or permitting it under more stringent regulations.
“While there is ongoing litigation, legislation is truly needed,” Sherrill stated. She also mentioned that hearings should be held to assess worker safety issues in relation to economic impacts. Currently, up to 25% of casino floors allow smoking, but smoke is not limited to these designated zones and can permeate other gaming areas.
Casino employees have spearheaded efforts to abolish smoking in establishments over the past five years, involving protests and lobbying that have garnered the support of approximately two-thirds of the Legislature. Yet, proposed bills have consistently faced delays, including one that progressed through a state Senate committee but ultimately expired after two years without action.
Two new proposals have been reintroduced this year. Bill S212 seeks to implement a comprehensive smoking prohibition, whereas S698, backed by state Senators John Burzichelli and Michael Testa, aims to continue allowing smoking under stricter conditions.
This latter bill stipulates that smoking would be restricted to enclosed, independently ventilated areas to prevent the circulation of smoke into non-smoking sections, and that employees cannot be assigned to work in smoking-designated areas against their wishes. Furthermore, the bill suggests a 15-foot buffer between smoking sections and live dealer table games.
A rally organized by CEASE against smoking in casinos
The debate has polarized casino staff. Casino Employees Against Smoking’s (Harmful) Effects, or CEASE, is campaigning for a full smoking prohibition, highlighting the long-term health dangers linked to secondhand smoke exposure. Conversely, Unite Here Local 54 disagrees with a ban, citing potential job losses, declines in revenue, and possible casino closures, a stance also echoed by the Atlantic City casino sector.
Pete Naccarelli, a dealer at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and a representative of CEASE, welcomed the governor’s remarks. “We have lost too many colleagues due to the Legislature’s inaction over the past two decades,” he said, advocating for swift legislative action prioritizing worker safety.
“No worker wants to inhale toxic fumes for eight hours a day,” Naccarelli stated. “Given the majority support in both chambers, we urge the Legislature to heed the governor’s call for action and finally close the two-decade-old loophole on casino smoking before more of us suffer.”
However, Sherrill pointed out the increasing competitive pressures from neighboring states, noting that three new casinos planned in New York City are likely to impact Atlantic City’s market share and revenues. She emphasized that any policy decisions must balance worker safety with the necessity to protect jobs and maintain the local economy.
Proponents of a smoking prohibition have dismissed industry claims of economic fallout, referencing studies that suggest that smoking bans do not necessarily correlate with revenue declines for casinos. At the same time, workers advocating for a smoking ban have filed a lawsuit in state court seeking judicial intervention, supplementing the concurrent legislative discussions.
Public health statistics cited by advocates indicate a persistent reduction in smoking prevalence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Survey, 9.9% of adults in the U.S. reported cigarette smoking in 2024, a significant decrease from 20.1% two decades prior.