Workers take their quest to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos to a higher court
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – In a bold move that could have major implications for the casino industry, a group of workers in Atlantic City have taken their quest to ban smoking in casinos to a higher court. The workers, who are supported by a coalition of public health advocates, are arguing that exposure to secondhand smoke in casinos poses a serious health risk, and that casinos should be required to provide smoke-free environments for both employees and patrons.
The workers’ case gained national attention earlier this year when they filed a lawsuit against several of Atlantic City’s biggest casinos, including the Borgata, Caesars, and Tropicana. The lawsuit alleged that casino employees were being exposed to dangerously high levels of secondhand smoke on a daily basis, putting them at risk for a range of serious health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.
The workers’ case was initially dismissed by a lower court, which ruled that the state’s Smoke-Free Air Act, which exempts casinos from the smoking ban, precluded the workers from seeking relief through the courts. However, the workers have now taken their case to a higher court, arguing that the exemption for casinos in the Smoke-Free Air Act is unconstitutional and violates their rights to a safe working environment.
The workers are being represented by a team of legal experts from the American Civil Liberties Union, who argue that the workers’ right to a safe workplace should take precedence over the casinos’ desire to allow smoking on their premises. “Workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace, free from the dangers of secondhand smoke,” said ACLU attorney Sarah Johnson. “It is simply unacceptable that employees in Atlantic City’s casinos are being forced to choose between their health and their jobs.”
The workers’ case has sparked a heated debate in Atlantic City, where smoking has long been a contentious issue. While some argue that smoking should be allowed in casinos as a matter of personal choice, others point to the overwhelming scientific evidence that shows the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure. “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Dr. Emily Rodriguez, a public health expert who has been following the case closely. “It is time for Atlantic City’s casinos to do the right thing and protect their workers and patrons from the dangers of secondhand smoke.”
The workers’ case is expected to be heard in the coming weeks, and could have far-reaching implications for the casino industry as a whole. If successful, the workers’ lawsuit could set a precedent for other cities and states to follow suit and ban smoking in casinos, potentially changing the landscape of the industry forever. “This case is about more than just one group of workers in Atlantic City,” said Johnson. “It is about ensuring that all workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace, free from the dangers of secondhand smoke.”
