After years of lobbying to get smoking permanently banned in Atlantic City casinos via legislative means, the Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) teamed up with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union last week to file a lawsuit seeking to have a judge do it for them.

A hearing has been set for April 25, but the New Jersey Attorney General’s office is seeking a two-week delay. 

“Every day that goes by is another day that tens of thousands of casino workers are exposed to dangerous secondhand smoke,” Pete Naccarelli, co-founder of CEASE, said in a statement. “It’s not acceptable for any other worker, why is it OK for us? We urge the rejection of any delay. Our smoke-filled work environment is not only dangerous — it’s unconstitutional. Let’s finally put an end to this nonsense.”

Under a state law enacted in 2006, New Jersey workplaces are required to be smoke-free, with the exception of casinos. The current law allows smoking on up to 25% of the casino floors in Atlantic City.

Carrot, stick, cigarette

During a rally last week to announce the lawsuit, Lamont White, a dealer at the Borgata casino, said, “Today, we get off our knees and stand up! We offered them the carrot, and now they get the stick!”

The Casino Association of New Jersey opposes a smoking ban, saying it would put Atlantic City at a competitive disadvantage.

The lawsuit names Gov. Phil Murphy and the state’s acting health commissioner. The governor has said he will sign a smoking ban if the legislature passes one.

Legislation to ban smoking in Atlantic City seemed like a slam dunk last year, but the bill never made it to the floor of the legislature for a vote.

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