Casino Workers Protest in Atlantic City, Demand Legislative Action to Close Smoking Loophole
Atlantic City, NJ – Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) held a protest outside the New Jersey League of Municipalities conference today, calling on Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey lawmakers to take immediate action to close the casino smoking loophole and protect the health of casino workers.
The protest took place on the final day of the League of Municipalities conference, where Governor Murphy addressed local government officials who were gathered to discuss ways to improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents. Despite his public commitment that he will sign a bill to close the smoking loophole, the governor has taken no action to push legislation forward — leaving casino workers at risk of exposure to harmful secondhand smoke in their workplaces.
Ricky Foster, CEASE member and Atlantic City casino dealer, issued the following statement:
“Governor Murphy and our lawmakers can’t keep overlooking the health risks casino workers face every day. They’re here talking about improving the lives of residents, yet they’ve ignored a simple, common-sense solution that would immediately protect the health and well-being of thousands of casino workers and patrons. We cannot keep waiting for action. The time for talk is over — Governor Murphy, we need you to step up and lead on this issue. Our lives depend on it.”
Last week, Assembly Republican Whip Brian Bergen called on Speaker Craig Coughlin to add the long-awaited smokefree casino bill (A2143) to the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee meeting agenda, citing strong bipartisan support for the bill. The smokefree legislation aims to close a nearly two-decade loophole that still exposes casino workers to harmful secondhand smoke.
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Casino Employees Against Smoking (Harmful) Effects (CEASE) is a group of thousands of casino dealers and other frontline gaming workers that formed after indoor smoking returned on July 4, 2021 in Atlantic City, NJ and has expanded to states around the country. CEASE is fighting to permanently remove smoking from our workplaces. For more information, visit ceasesmoking.org.
Read more about smokefree casinos.
See the Real Deal Videos about CEASE.
