In a ground-breaking legal battle, the state of New Jersey and a powerful union have joined forces to petition a judge to dismiss an anti-smoking lawsuit targeting Atlantic City casinos. The lawsuit, brought forth by a group of anti-smoking advocates, seeks to ban smoking in all indoor areas of Atlantic City casinos, claiming that the secondhand smoke poses a significant health risk to both employees and patrons.
However, on Tuesday morning, attorneys representing New Jersey and the powerful hospitality workers union argued before Judge Samantha Morales that the lawsuit had no legal basis and should be thrown out. They contended that the lawsuit violates the rights of the casinos and their patrons, infringing on their freedom to make their own choices regarding smoking.
The union, which represents thousands of workers in the hospitality industry, including many who work in Atlantic City casinos, has come out in full support of the casinos in this legal battle. In a statement released earlier this week, union president Sarah Jenkins expressed the union’s belief that the decision to allow smoking in the casinos should be left to the individual establishments, rather than being imposed by outside groups.
“The casinos have the right to operate their businesses as they see fit, including setting their own smoking policies,” Jenkins stated. “Our members have made their own choices to work in these establishments, and they should be respected.”
In addition to the legal arguments put forth by the state and the union, supporters of the casinos have also highlighted the economic impact that a ban on smoking could have on Atlantic City. They argue that banning smoking in the casinos could lead to a significant loss of revenue, as many patrons who smoke may choose to take their business elsewhere.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, residents and business owners in Atlantic City are watching closely to see how this case will be resolved. Judge Morales is expected to make a decision on the lawsuit in the coming weeks, and the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the future of smoking policies in Atlantic City casinos. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
