New Jersey Assembly Republicans are pushing harder to ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos.
A group of six Republicans sent a letter to the state’s health commissioner, Dr. Kaitlan Baston, in an attempt to help move the fight forward. The letter prompted a response from Baston as well as Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE).
Republicans have been vocal in showing support for casino workers who endure smoking in New Jersey. They did so once again, this time sending a letter to one of the most influential people in the public health department of politics.
CEASE members want more action
CEASE members are desperately fighting to ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos for obvious health and safety reasons.
On behalf of casino workers, Assembly Republicans drafted a letter to Dr. Baston, addressing the harms of second-hand smoking. The letter generated a response from Baston, who said in an X post:
“Governor Murphy has repeatedly said he’ll sign legislation to ban casino smoking as soon as it hits his desk. As a physician and the Commissioner of the DOH, I can say unequivocally that reducing exposure to second-hand smoke is good for the health of all New Jerseyans.”
Baston also noted that it is not in her power to ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos.
“Only the legislature has that power,” she said. “There are bills currently pending that would ban or seriously limit where smoking can occur inside casinos.”
That elicited a strong response from table games dealer and CEASE co-founder, Pete Naccarelli, who said in a statement on Thursday:
“We appreciate Commissioner Baston’s acknowledgment that secondhand smoke is a threat to public health. But words alone are not enough. And it’s not enough for Governor Murphy to say that he’ll sign a bill — we need Governor Murphy to work with the legislature to send that bill to his desk.
“When we recently went to court, we hoped that Governor Murphy and Health Commissioner Baston would finally step up and protect our health. But instead, they’ve spent the last six months using funds from taxpayers like us to defend the casino smoking loophole — protecting an outdated business model at the expense of our lives.
“The disconnect is astounding. If Governor Murphy and Commissioner Baston wanted to, they could drop their opposition to the lawsuit, or work with the legislature to ensure a bill comes to the floor without delay. Our lives — and the lives of our families — depend on it. It’s time for Governor Murphy and Commissioner Baston to show leadership in protecting our lives.”
Republicans call out Baston remaining ‘silent’
Assembly Republicans continue to state that banning smoking inside casinos is not political. It is just the right health decision to do so, especially for casino workers. The following Republicans drafted and sent the letter earlier this week to Dr. Baston:
- John DiMaio (LD-23)
- Antwan L. McClellan (LD-1)
- Christopher P. DePhillips (LD-40)
- Brian Bergen (LD-26)
- Nancy F. Munoz (LD-21)
- Brian E. Rumpf (LD-9)
The letter is speaking on behalf of casino workers in Atlantic City, especially CEASE members.
The six Republicans penned a nearly two-page letter that highlighted the harms of second-hand smoking. They called out the health commissioner, saying:
“As New Jersey’s top health official today, it’s your turn to take a stand. It’s your turn—your job and duty—to complete the mission and protect the health of every New Jersey worker. No
exceptions.“As a doctor, you know a full smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos is the right choice. So why, as a policymaker, are you staying silent? Why are you fighting a casino workers’ lawsuit to protect their health? This is a crucial moment that requires your medical leadership.”
The letter at least prompted a response from Baston.
What happens next in Atlantic City casino smoking fight
The fight to ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos has taken years. It has even spread to other states, such as neighboring Pennsylvania. Both states are making it the fight heard around the country, because of the importance.
After a New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled against CEASE members in August, CEASE is far from giving up. While an appeal at the NJ Supreme Court is still an option, CEASE is putting pressure on lawmakers in the state.
It will release a digital campaign, called “Kids of CEASE,” across multiple social platforms in key legislative districts that portray the lives of children and families of casino workers who have to endure smoke-filled environments at work.
“We want to show people we’re not just numbers, we’re not just ‘those casino workers.’ We’re real people with real families,” Naccarelli said last month.
“And to tell people, like us, ‘go get another job’ and I have two kids to support, a wife and a house, it’s just unfair. The digital campaign will be showing us with our families and our kids.”
There is no timeline for a potential smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos. However, CEASE and certain political figures are not giving up its quest to protect the health and safety of casino workers.
