A group of workers from Atlantic City casinos have filed a lawsuit in an effort to overturn a law that exempts the city’s gambling establishments from a statewide indoor smoking ban. The workers, represented by the New Jersey Work Environment Council, argue that the exemption puts their health at risk and violates their rights to a safe working environment.
The smoking ban, which was implemented in 2006, prohibits smoking in indoor public places such as restaurants, bars, and workplaces. However, Atlantic City’s 11 casinos were given a special exemption from the ban, allowing them to continue allowing smoking on their gaming floors. This exemption has long been a contentious issue for workers in the city’s bustling casino industry.
According to the lawsuit, the exemption puts casino workers at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other health issues associated with secondhand smoke exposure. The plaintiffs argue that they should have the same protections against the dangers of secondhand smoke as workers in other industries that are covered by the statewide ban.
“The current law puts casino workers in harm’s way and denies them the same basic rights to a safe workplace that workers in other industries enjoy,” said Debra Coyle McFadden, executive director of the New Jersey Work Environment Council. “It’s time for Atlantic City’s casinos to be held accountable for the health and safety of their employees.”
In addition to the health concerns, the lawsuit also raises questions about the fairness of the exemption for Atlantic City’s casinos. The plaintiffs argue that the exemption gives casinos an unfair advantage over other businesses in the city that are required to comply with the smoking ban. They claim that the exemption creates an uneven playing field and harms businesses that are not allowed to offer smoking to their customers.
The lawsuit comes at a time when Atlantic City’s casino industry is already facing significant challenges, including competition from neighboring states and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs hope that overturning the exemption will help level the playing field for all businesses in the city and improve the health and safety of casino workers.
The Atlantic City casino industry has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, but the case is sure to spark a heated debate among stakeholders in the city. As the legal battle unfolds, casino workers and advocates will be watching closely to see if their fight to overturn the exemption will be successful.