A card dealer at an Atlantic City casino was told to take unpaid leave if she didn’t want to work in an environment where people could smoke indoors. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

An impossible choice

The topic of indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos is a long-running issue, and it has made the headlines again. This time, a pregnant card dealer at Bally’s Casino was told to either take unpaid leave or continue working in the smoking area of the casino.

The woman, who is four and a half months pregnant and has had previous miscarriages, says she was encouraged to take unpaid leave by her employer if she didn’t want to work in the smoky environment after she raised concerns.

every time someone lights a cigarette at the table, she feels that they violate her rights and health

The 31-year-old works eight hours per shift and can’t financially take unpaid leave. Speaking to the Star-Ledger, she said that every time someone lights a cigarette at the table, she feels that they violate her rights and health.

Taking action

Casinos are one of the very few exceptions to the indoor smoking ban in New Jersey, with up to 25% of gaming floors open to smokers. Over recent years, efforts from workers at these properties to close this loophole have proven unsuccessful. Legislation and legal action have both fallen short to date.

requested last week that Governor Phil Murphy suspend all smoking in casinos

The latest move comes from Senator Health Committee Chairman Joe Vitale, who requested last week that Governor Phil Murphy suspend all smoking in casinos until lawmakers pass a bill. Murphy has asserted in the past that he would sign such a bill if it reached his desk.

Murphy did actually ban indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos during the pandemic. “We have looked closely at the science and agree with the experts who have concluded that allowing smoking is too big a risk to take,” Murphy said at the time, referring to the risk of COVID-19 spread.

Opposing views

Casinos claim that a smoking ban would lead to a significant drop in revenue and major job losses. They believe that ventilation systems are sufficient to protect workers at their properties.

The inhalation of secondhand smoke in pregnant women can cause lower birth weight and premature delivery, as well as issues with the baby’s lung and ear function.

Talking about the case of the pregnant woman at Bally’s Casino, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights CEO and President Cynthia Hallett said these companies are showing “shameful and reckless disregard” for the health of their workers. She highlighted evidence of the risks that regular inhalation of secondhand smoke presents to all people.