Weinberg highlights how the tobacco industry, through the use of misleading information and fear tactics, succeeded in persuading unions and workers to resist smoking bans in casinos
Almost 20 years ago, the Smoke-Free Air Act gave clean air protections to many New Jersey workplaces, but one big exception still exists: casinos. Former New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg thinking back to her time as a sponsor of the Act, regrets that casino workers did not get included because not enough legislators supported it. Now, that gap still puts both workers and visitors at risk.
Weinberg Challenges Tobacco’s Influence on Casino Smoking Debates
Weinberg points out how the tobacco industry using false information and scare tactics managed to convince unions and workers to push back against smoking bans in casinos. Papers from lawsuits against big tobacco companies show how these groups went after unions like UNITE HERE, which still does not want a smoking ban in New Jersey casinos.
The effects have been devastating. Employees working in smoky settings have a higher chance of getting cancer, heart problems, and other major health issues due to breathing in second-hand smoke. The Surgeon General’s latest findings highlight how tobacco companies tricked workers into fighting against rules that would protect their health. Weinberg slams these tricks pointing out the human cost of such lies.
Facts from other states go against the casino industry’s scary story. Casinos without smoking have shown they can make money. In 21 states, including next-door New York, casinos have done well despite no-smoking rules. It is worth mentioning that Pennsylvania‘s best-performing casino chooses not to allow smoking, and many Atlantic City casinos want licenses in New York seeing the business benefits of a smoke-free place.
Weinberg Demands State Leaders Address Casino Smoking Policies
Weinberg tells the sad tale of a pregnant worker at Bally’s casino who could not get a no-smoking work area even though she had lost pregnancies before reported NJ.com. She claims these kinds of occurrences show why we need to act fast to make sure casino workers have safe and fair workplaces.
Governor Phil Murphy and Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston are dealing with legal issues from workers who want the same safety measures given to other industries. People like Senator Joe Vitale keep pushing for new laws, but things are not moving forward.
Weinberg asks state leaders to take action, either by stopping their defense of the current rules or passing new laws to give casinos clean air protections. To Weinberg, this is not just about policy, it is about doing what is right. She stated that New Jersey should not sacrifice workers’ health and lives for money.
