In a groundbreaking decision that has sparked outrage among public health advocates, a judge has ruled that smoking can continue inside Atlantic City casinos. The ruling, which was issued by Judge James Hoeler of the New Jersey Superior Court, has been met with criticism from anti-smoking groups who argue that allowing smoking in casinos puts both employees and patrons at risk.
The controversy surrounding smoking in casinos has been a long-standing issue in Atlantic City. While smoking bans have been implemented in most public spaces in New Jersey, including bars, restaurants, and workplaces, casinos have been exempt from these regulations. This exemption was put in place to protect the gambling industry, as smoking has been a common activity among casino-goers for decades.
However, recent studies have shown that exposure to secondhand smoke in casinos can have serious health consequences. According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including hundreds that are toxic and about 70 that can cause cancer. This has prompted calls for a ban on smoking in casinos to protect the health and safety of employees and patrons.
In his ruling, Judge Hoeler cited the economic impact of a smoking ban on Atlantic City casinos as the primary reason for allowing smoking to continue. He argued that a ban on smoking in casinos would result in a significant loss of revenue for the gambling industry, which is already struggling due to competition from neighboring states and the rise of online gambling.
The decision has been met with strong opposition from public health advocates, who argue that the health and well-being of casino employees and patrons should take priority over economic concerns. They are calling on the state government to intervene and implement a comprehensive smoking ban in all public spaces, including casinos.
Despite the ruling, some Atlantic City casinos have voluntarily implemented smoke-free policies in recent years. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, for example, banned smoking on the casino floor in 2015 and has seen an increase in revenue and customer satisfaction as a result.
As the debate over smoking in Atlantic City casinos continues, it remains to be seen whether the state government will take action to protect the health of employees and patrons or prioritize the economic interests of the gambling industry. In the meantime, casino-goers will have to decide whether they are willing to accept the risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke while gambling in Atlantic City.
