Republicans are ready to end the smoking debate in Atlantic City casinos as a bill with bipartisan support remains idle in the Senate committee.
New Jersey Assembly Republican leadership announced earlier this week that they will support a smoking ban if Democrats can’t get enough votes.
The New Jersey Superior Court voted against Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) in a lawsuit last month.
As a result, CEASE and UAW have now pivoted to applying pressure to lawmakers in the state. Nicole Vitola, a table games dealer and CEASE co-founder, told PlayNJ on Thursday:
“It’s clear we have the support — clean air is a bipartisan issue, with both sides recognizing the urgent need to protect workers from secondhand smoke. Now the legislature needs to put their words into long overdue action and vote on this immediately.
“We’re not asking for anything more than what other workers in New Jersey already have — the right to breathe clean air in our workplace.”
Republicans to step up to the plate in support of AC casino workers
Atlantic City casino employees are one of the only professionals in the state that have to endure a smoke-filled indoor environment while working. It’s a loophole that was created in the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act.
CEASE and UAW are desperately attempting to close it, citing the dangers it puts casino workers in having to inhale second-hand smoke. The bill S1493, which would shut it, is currently sitting in the Senate committee, has not moved since January.
However, once the bill moves, it’ll get Republican support. According to InsiderNJ, Republican Leader John DiMaio (R- Hunterdon, Somerset & Warren) said:
“If Democrats are serious about protecting workers, Republicans are ready to help pass the bill. We need legislative action, not excuses.
“This isn’t about politics, it’s about doing what’s right for workers and their families. With significant bipartisan support, there’s no reason not to get this done.”
The bipartisan support is exactly what CEASE and UAW needs to get the bill passed. Now, it’s in the hand of the lawmakers.
UAW calls out NJ lawmaker in press conference last week
As Vitola pointed out in her statement, CEASE and UAW are calling on lawmakers to do their part in moving the bill forward. In the process, however, the organizations are filing an appeal to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
CEASE and UAW hosted a virtual press conference last week, detailing next steps, after a New Jersey Superior Court judge on Friday ruled against Atlantic City casino employees last month.
Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr. (D) introduced S1493 but has not moved since the beginning of the year. Dan Vicente, UAW Region 9 Director, called out the legislator during the press conference.
“I want to call out Assembly member Moen because if this brother truly is a friend of the working people in the state of New Jersey, and really does care about the life, health and safety of working people throughout the state, he’ll move this bill out of Committee the first opportunity,” Vicente said.
“We expect to this happen and if you can’t make that happen and are not willing to make that happen, UAW doesn’t consider you a friend to the movement.”
In addition, CEASE has also put together digital campaigns, “Kids of CEASE,” that details the lives of casino workers with their children and grandchildren. The ad will be played on multiple mediums across key legislative districts, including Assemblyman Moen’s in Audubon, NJ.
CEASE and UAW are not stopping the fight. And if the bill moves forward, Republicans will be there to chip in.
