In a latest development in the ongoing battle between anti-smoking advocates and Atlantic City’s casinos, a major union has stepped in to defend the interests of the casino workers. The union, representing thousands of employees in the gaming industry, has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to ban smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos.
The lawsuit, filed by a group of non-smokers who frequent the casinos, argues that secondhand smoke poses a health risk to patrons and employees. The plaintiffs are seeking to have smoking banned entirely inside the casinos, claiming that the current designated smoking areas are not sufficient to protect the health of non-smokers.
However, the union representing the casino workers has come out in support of the casinos, arguing that a complete smoking ban would have a detrimental impact on the industry and its employees. In a statement, the union emphasized that many of its members rely on tips from customers who smoke while gambling, and a smoking ban could result in a significant loss of income for these workers.
Furthermore, the union argued that the casinos have taken steps to mitigate the effects of secondhand smoke, including improving ventilation systems and providing designated smoking areas. These measures, the union believes, are sufficient to protect the health and safety of both employees and patrons.
The union’s intervention in the lawsuit highlights the complex dynamics at play in the debate over smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos. While the health concerns of non-smoking patrons are important, the economic concerns of the casino workers cannot be overlooked.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the judge will ultimately rule on the plaintiffs’ request for a smoking ban. In the meantime, the union’s efforts to defend the interests of its members signal a new chapter in the ongoing debate over smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos.
