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Casino Smoking Debate Ignites Once Again in New Jersey

Anti-smoking advocates, spearheaded by Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) in Atlantic City, are once again disputing claims that a smoke-free environment would negatively impact casino revenues and potentially lead to the closure of one or more casinos.
Casino Smoking Debate Ignites Once Again in New Jersey
The latest controversy stems from remarks made by New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald at the Southern New Jersey Development Council conference last weekend. CEASE claims Greenwald suggested that protecting casino workers from secondhand smoke is less important than economic concerns and potential job losses from a smoking ban.
CEASE swiftly challenged these "debunked" forecasts of job losses, arguing instead that Greenwald's stance may be influenced by campaign contributions.
“Majority Leader Greenwald has taken tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Big Tobacco companies like Philip Morris,” said CEASE co-founder and Atlantic City table-game dealer Pete Naccarelli in a press release. “So it’s no surprise he wants to create Philip Morris smoking rooms that would continue to jeopardise our lives.
“Greenwald has in fact been one of the biggest barriers to advancing legislation that would actually solve the problem. It’s time for the majority leader to stop standing in the way of the bipartisan bill that has broad support that would finally close the casino smoking loophole and actually attract more visitors to Atlantic City who stay away today because of the smoke.”

UAW joins in in call for floor votes

Naccarelli, along with Dan Vincente, Region 8 director of the United Auto Workers (representing Atlantic City dealers), urged Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald to advance A2143 to a floor vote, a bill that would eliminate the smoking loophole.
The next day, Naccarelli criticized Senate President Nicholas Scutari for his hesitation in bringing S1493, the Senate's identical version of the smoking ban legislation, to a vote.
“Senate President Scutari should not delay any longer,” Naccarelli said. “A compromise was made 18 years ago to create a loophole that endangers our health – and, once again, our leaders are kicking the can down the road.”

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