ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- Casino workers unions in Atlantic City are split on a new bill that would ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos.
The United Auto Workers, which represents casino dealers, supports the ban, but Unite Here, which represents most other casino workers, opposes it.
Smoking is still allowed in Atlantic City casinos due to a loophole in the 2006 law that bans smoking in almost every other New Jersey establishment. The bill currently making headway with bi-partisan support in the New Jersey State Legislature would close that loophole, effectively banning smoking in Atlantic City casinos for the first time.
The UAW wrote a letter to legislators last week in support of the potential ban.
“Our members include dealers who sit inches away from patrons who blow smoke directly into their face for eight hours a day, every single day,” said the letter. “It is simply unacceptable knowing what we know about the dangers of secondhand smoke. No worker in the state of NJ should be forced to breathe cancer-causing chemicals every single day.”
Unite Here wrote an opposing letter last month.
“While we want to ensure that our members work in a safe work environment, banning smoking in New Jersey casinos would mean lost jobs for our union and throughout the state, and lost tax revenues and less money for senior programs,” wrote Unite Here Local 54 President Bob McDevitt.
Mayor Marty Small said on Thursday he opposes the ban, but ultimately it will be up to the state legislature and governor Phil Murphy whether the ban is enacted.
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