The plight of casino workers in New Jersey continues as anti-smoking advocates fight for smoke-free gaming floors
Political capital is important, and the Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects or CEASE already enjoys friends in high places.
Brian Bergen, the Assembly Republican whip, has become the latest figure to throw his weight behind CEASE’s cause, which wants to see an exemption that allows casinos to offer in-door smoking on their gaming floors ended.
CEASE Finds New Friends in High Places
The issue has taken on national significance, as the Casino Association of New Jersey repeatedly insisted that post-pandemic recovery has not been what it is touted to be and that ending the casino’s smoking mandate would result in underwhelming financial performance and job cuts.
This argument has mostly been refuted by independent observers, and CAESE as well, but some post-pandemic jitters are naturally expected. Although the economy is booming, people are finding living standards to be harder on the purse, something that was clearly reflected in the November 5 voting outcome.
Now, though, the Republican Party may actually be showing more support for the plight of casino workers through Bergen.
Bergen has argued that the measure should be moved forward and that the smoking exemption should come to an end – citing sufficient support on both ends of the political spectrum and arguing that lack of bearing the political responsibility was what deterred the next step. S1493 has been stuck in a Senate committee since January.
This may finally happen with Bergen willing to step into the spotlight and become the face of this important change. The GOP has been understandably skittish to be seen as anti-business or progressive, unlike the Democrats who have been more vocal supporters of CEASE’s cause but have similarly fallen flat in mustering any decisive effort.
For its part, CEASE has been fighting the issue for many years now and has been citing increasing evidence that second-hand smoke results in severe health conditions. Multiple campaigns have been launched, including in states such as Pennsylvania in a bid to end loopholes that exempt casinos from the smoke ban no matter where in the United States they are.
Casino Employees Continue to Suffer from Second-Hand Smoking
However, the cause that seems to have gained more prominence is the one in New Jersey. In the meantime, the headlines have been appearing in the press, citing various cases of reported harm to employees.
CEASE recently criticized Bally’s for exposing a pregnant woman who worked at the casino to second-hand smoke, for example. The woman had requested to be transferred to a non-smoking area. The GOP could now help end the exemption.
CEASE will continue to bring attention to the issue as it seeks a final resolution.
