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Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) protested outside the League of Municipalities conference in Atlantic City to get the attention of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
The protest called on Gov. Murphy, along with other legislative leaders, to close the loophole in the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act, which would ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos.
CEASE has already called on multiple political figures, including Tammy Murphy, Phil’s wife, to gain an ally in the fight to ban smoking.
CEASE calls on highest political figure in NJ
Phil Murphy has said in years past that he would sign a bill that would eliminate smoking inside Atlantic City casinos. However, CEASE is not satisfied with the governor’s inaction.
Murphy spoke with local government officials during the League of Municipalities to discuss ways to improve the lives of New Jersey residents. That felt like the perfect time for CEASE to send a message.
Ricky Foster, CEASE member and Atlantic City casino dealer, issued the following statement in an email to PlayNJ:
“Governor Murphy and our lawmakers can’t keep overlooking the health risks casino workers face every day. They’re here talking about improving the lives of residents, yet they’ve ignored a simple, common-sense solution that would immediately protect the health and well-being of thousands of casino workers and patrons.
We cannot keep waiting for action. The time for talk is over — Governor Murphy, we need you to step up and lead on this issue. Our lives depend on it.”
Multiple CEASE members stood outside the Atlantic City Convention Center, where the conference was held, to protest.
CEASE’s previous efforts include Tammy Murphy
CEASE has called on both of the Murphy’s this month in a cry for help. The organization desperately attempting to ban smoking inside casinos.
As the First Lady in NJ, Tammy is extremely involved, and influential in the state. She is a champion of maternal health and created the Nurture NJ Strategic Plan.
Nicole Vitola, CEASE co-founder and a table games dealer, wrote Murphy a letter earlier this month. She detailed the risks of second-hand smoke table game dealers inhale, including pregnant employees. Vitola endured two pregnancies of her own as a casino worker. She said to Murphy:
“That’s why we want to ensure you are aware of the situation we face in Atlantic City, where indoor smoking is still permitted at our workplaces. Pregnant women are among the thousands of employees like us who are forced to breathe secondhand smoke on the job.”
CEASE has made a number of attempts to pressure lawmakers into pushing legislation forward to ban smoking at Atlantic City casinos. This time, it went straight New Jersey’s most powerful political figure.
