New Atlantic City Smoking Ban Bill Could Result In Massive Layoffs

Atlantic City, New Jersey casinos are on their way to becoming smoke-free following a key vote. Aside from leading to more visitors to New Jersey online casinos, the adoption of this bill comes with other implications that might not be so good.

S1493 Receives a Thumbs Up

This past Monday, the New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee gave a thumbs up to S1493. This bill aims to eliminate smoking inside Atlantic City casinos. From here, the bill will move to the Senate Committee for a reading. The committee likely overseeing the bill will be Budget & Appropriations. 

If passed, the law would go into effect 90 days after the governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, signed it into law. Murphy also mentioned that he’d sign a law closing a loophole from the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act, which is the State Legislature-approved S1493. 

Potential Pitfalls

While this bill is moving along, some aren’t fans of it, including Donna DeCaprio, the president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union. She warns that a total ban could result in layoffs. 

“In South Jersey, there are no replacement jobs of this caliber,” she said. “A total ban is going to result in an economic catastrophe for Atlantic City, the region and the state.”

Christina Renna, the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in Southern New Jersey, agreed. 

“I think that’s a real disservice to this conversation,” Renna said. “The smoking ban is a statewide issue, without question, but it has a unique impact on the South Jersey region.”

In response to these worries, the Casino Association of New Jersey it was to “find a meaningful compromise that will address the concerns of our employees without jeopardizing jobs and benefits to some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation Statement

Following the initial favorable vote, advocates at the American Nonsmokers’ Right Foundation released a statement: 

“After more than 17 years since New Jersey enacted the state’s first clean air act, we’re thrilled that lawmakers today voted to end indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos and protect the lives of thousands of casino workers. We’re especially encouraged that the bill was passed without amendments that would weaken it and continue to put workers’ health in jeopardy."

Now, we’ll wait to see where this bill ultimately lands.