New Jersey Judge Rules Smoking Allowed in Casinos

A New Jersey Superior Court judge has ruled that smoking will continue to be permitted in Atlantic City casinos, dismissing a lawsuit from casino workers seeking to ban the practice due to health concerns. The decision has been met with disappointment from advocates, including the Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), who argue that exposure to secondhand smoke poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable workers. The ruling enables casinos to maintain their current operations, which include allowing smoking on 25% of the casino floor, despite ongoing concerns about the health implications for employees. Workers plan to escalate their fight by launching an advertising campaign featuring their children and pursuing legislative changes to ban smoking. The ruling has sparked discussions about the balance between worker safety and the financial viability of the casino industry, with casino operators claiming a ban could lead to job losses and reduced revenue. The CEASE group and their attorney have vowed to appeal the decision to the New Jersey Supreme Court, emphasizing their commitment to securing a smoke-free workplace.