The Fight to Extinguish Atlantic City Casino Smoking Drags On
Posted on: May 15, 2026, 12:19h.
Last updated on: May 15, 2026, 12:19h.
- Efforts to ban casino smoking in Atlantic City are ongoing
- Atlantic City casinos argue that a smoking ban would cut revenue and jobs
Advocates of clean indoor air have fought to extinguish Atlantic City casino smoking for years. Their odds presumably aren’t any better today.
New Jersey’s 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act allows the nine casinos in Atlantic City to designate up to 25% of their gaming floor space for tobacco consumption. A grassroots coalition of casino workers, called CEASE, or Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, has been lobbying state lawmakers since the group’s founding in COVID-19’s aftermath, when indoor smoking was temporarily halted amid the health emergency.
While many lawmakers in Trenton had agreed to support CEASE’s campaign to make Atlantic City casinos smoke-free, Democratic leaders were blamed for shelving relevant legislation. Despite bills to force casino smokers outside once having enough cosponsors in both the Assembly and Senate to pass, the measures were reportedly tabled after the casinos claimed a tobacco ban would lead to reduced revenue and thousands of job cuts.
With three casinos in New York City in the works, Atlantic City casino interests say they need every leverage possible to fend off the forthcoming competition.
Can Health Officials Win Over Dem Leaders?
The harmful effects of secondhand smoke are well-known. The CDC says there is no safe level of exposure to lingering smoke, meaning casino workers risk their health each day on the job.
During its Wednesday meeting, New Jersey’s Public Health Council said it’s time that state Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington take action on urging lawmakers to end the casino smoking loophole.
There is a portion in the law that allows for a portion of casinos where smoking is allowed. I would like to see the commissioner, through a recommendation of the council, to weigh in on this and maybe get the legislature to do something about it, or the governor, or both,” proposed Paul Roman, vice chair of the council.
The council subsequently approved a resolution that formally calls on Washington to comment on the casino smoking matter.
“There’s been lots of fights. It’s been in court. And the situation has not been resolved one way or the other,” Roman explained.
The Public Health Council is tasked with ensuring the “reasonable protection of the health of the public at large.” The Council was authorized and funded by the state’s Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977.
NYC Casinos Are Smoke-Free
New York requires its casinos, racinos, and off-track betting facilities to be 100% smoke-free. That means there won’t be any cigarettes or cigars inside Resorts World New York City, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, or Bally’s Bronx.
How big an impact the NYC casinos will have on Atlantic City will be determined in the coming years. The Bronx and Queens aren’t exactly easy to get to for people in North Jersey, which could lessen the brunt felt down the New Jersey Shore.
Retaining smoking would seemingly retain casino gamblers who enjoy lighting up while playing slots and table games.
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