CEASE Archives

Pete Naccarelli, co-founder of CEASE, recently voiced confidence about ongoing negotiations with legislators in a message to CDC Gaming Reports. Naccarelli emphasized that 83 of the 120 members of the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate are in favor of legislation that would ban smoking at gaming establishments. These legislation have not yet been put to a vote, nevertheless. The movement to ban smoking at casinos is not just in New Jersey. Eight states have joined CEASE, including Nevada, where a similar law is being considered. This momentum culminated earlier this summer with a formal committee hearing on a smoking ban in Pennsylvania casinos. In August, CEASE commended Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino for keeping their casino floors smoke-free. This ruling provided as evidence that smoking prohibitions have no negative impact on casino revenues. Despite this, Spectrum Gaming Group argued that smokers could steer clear of casinos without dedicated smoking places. Casinos in New Jersey, meanwhile, argued that internet gambling had a greater impact on their profits than smoking regulations. The "overwhelming" smoke she experienced while working as a table game dealer at Rivers Pittsburgh was described by Jennifer Rubolino. She noted that the smoke not only poses health hazards to everyone but also has an impact on workers and seeps into non-smoking places. CEASE Inspires Nationwide Clean Air Movement in Casinos Due to the health concerns of secondhand smoking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have long promoted smoke-free public areas. Members of CEASE contend that exempting casino floors from clean-indoor regulations goes against the fundamentals of a secure working environment. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, many tribal and commercial casinos have willingly adopted this modification, demonstrating the success of CEASE's campaign for a smoke-free atmosphere. The well-known Pennsylvania casino Parx in Philadelphia is a shining example of how the prohibition had no detrimental effect on income. Another CEASE co-founder, Lamont White, stated that their demonstrations are directed against state rules that require employees and patrons to be exposed to smoke, not the casinos themselves. White rejected the charges of the opposition as being out of date and unfounded. Members of CEASE are optimistic that by leading reform in Atlantic City, other states will follow suit, improving the working conditions for casino employees across the country. With CEASE leading this revolutionary initiative, the path toward smoke-free casinos is still being traveled.

CEASE

New Jersey Casino Employees Look Forward to Smoke-Free Gaming