Over 100 casino workers have protested the smoking loophole, which currently allows people to smoke inside casinos in New Jersey, during a gaming conference.
After the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) pulled out of a panel scheduled to discuss indoor smoking last week during the East Coast Gaming Conference (ECGC), the workers took the decision to protest and call upon New Jersey lawmakers to introduce legislation that prohibits smoking in the casinos.
Pete Naccarelli, Borgata dealer and co-leader of CEASE, said of the rally: “The casino executives that sit in their smokefree offices don’t have to worry about this. No more waiting, pass the damn bill.”
Meanwhile, Lamont White, Borgata dealer and co-leader of CEASE, further added: “They must stop playing into the casino stall tactics and put our health first. We all know that when these bills hit the floor, they’re going to pass with flying colours.”
The bills A2151 and S264, which will close the legal loophole, have bipartisan support in the state; however, neither has yet come to the chambers.
Cynthia Hallett, President and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, stated of the casino workers’ plight: “We cannot wait any longer because every day that we wait means more exposure. It means more lives at risk and unfortunately it may mean more lives lost. We have a majority of support from the legislators.
“Working together, we will get these bills moving forward, we will talk about the benefits of going smokefree, and we will potentially have to hold folks accountable if they keep delaying this bill. If you don’t want to see these rallies anymore, schedule a hearing.”
