In a bold and unprecedented move, a group of Atlantic City casino workers has taken their fight to ban smoking in casinos to a higher court in hopes of finally putting an end to the health hazards they face on a daily basis.
The workers, who are represented by the United Auto Workers union, have been fighting for years to have smoking banned in Atlantic City casinos. They argue that the secondhand smoke they are forced to inhale while on the job puts their health at risk and violates their rights to a safe working environment.
Their quest began in 2016 when they filed a petition with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission to ban smoking in casinos. Despite the commission’s acknowledgment of the health risks associated with secondhand smoke, they ultimately denied the petition, citing concerns over potential loss of revenue for the casinos.
Undeterred, the workers took their case to the New Jersey Superior Court, where a judge ruled in their favor in 2018, stating that the commission had failed to consider the health and safety of the workers when making their decision. The judge ordered the commission to reconsider the petition with the health and safety of the workers as a top priority.
However, the commission once again denied the petition, prompting the workers to take their fight to a higher court. The workers, along with their legal team, filed an appeal in the New Jersey Appellate Division, arguing that the commission’s decision was arbitrary and capricious and that they had failed to take into account the overwhelming evidence of the health risks associated with secondhand smoke.
In a statement issued to The Caledonian-Record, the workers expressed their frustration with the commission’s continued disregard for their health and safety. “We have been fighting for years to have smoking banned in casinos, and it is unacceptable that the commission continues to prioritize the profits of the casinos over the well-being of the workers,” said one worker.
The workers are now awaiting a decision from the Appellate Division and are hopeful that this higher court will finally recognize their right to a safe working environment free from the dangers of secondhand smoke. In the meantime, they continue to speak out against the dangers of smoking in casinos and advocate for a ban that will protect their health and the health of all casino workers in Atlantic City.