C.E.A.S.E. Plans “Huge Announcement” For April 5 Regarding A.C. Casino Smoking Ban

According to the Casino Employees Against Smoking’s (Harmful) Effects, also known as C.E.A.S.E., they mentioned on Facebook to their 3,000+ followers that a “huge announcement” is coming on April 5 in Trenton, New Jersey, at the Statehouse. 

This announcement is likely something to do with a recent proposal to ban smoking inside Atlantic City Casinos. 

Pete “P.J.” Naccarelli, a co-founder of C.E.A.S.E. who’s also a table game dealer at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, won’t reveal what that announcement is but is encouraging followers on Facebook to make their guesses, including celebrity support or presidential campaign appearances. 

There’s perhaps some news already leaked, though with a member of C.E.A.S.E. posting a signup for a rally with “big news coming with a special guest.”

Still, April 5 won’t be when the smoking ban is voted on. Right now, it’s made its way out of the state Senate committee, but there are a lot of steps left. 

In conjunction with this event, United Auto Workers Region 9, which represents 1,200 table games dealers in three casinos, has posted billboards on the Atlantic City Expressway in support of C.E.A.S.E.

With this bill, it’s looking to close a loophole that limits smoking to no more than 25% of the gaming floor. That bill passed in 2006 with the Smoke-Free Air Act, but C.E.A.S.E. is seeking an all-out ban. 

On the other side, the casino industry has expressed how the total ban would have economic impacts, with Pennsylvania casinos just an hour away from allowing smoking. It'll likely continue the trend of NJ online casinos accounting for more revenue compared to retail ones.

There have been conversations to hopefully find a compromise, but casino workers aren’t budging and want an all-out ban.

Now, we look ahead to April 5 to see what all the hype is about surrounding C.E.A.S.E. and their event.