In Letter, Newly-Elected Asw. Rowan Urged to Rescind Misguided “Compromise” Casino Smoking Bill
Public Health and Labor Groups Highlight How Bill A4899 Would Keep Casino Workers in Toxic Air
Trenton, NJ — A coalition of public health and labor organizations is urging newly-elected Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan (D-2) to withdraw Assembly Bill A4899, a misguided and harmful bill that would allow indoor smoking to continue unabated in Atlantic City’s casinos.
In a joint letter sent to the Assemblywoman’s office yesterday, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the United Auto Workers outline how the proposed bill fails to improve workplace safety and instead sets back efforts for meaningful public health progress by decades.
“We are asking Assemblywoman Rowan to meet with public health organizations, labor leaders, and the workers most directly affected by this legislation to sit down together and discuss a real solution that protects workers and benefits casinos,” said the coalition after sending the letter to Assemblywoman Rowan’s office. “We believe transparent communication is the best way to find a resolution that is best for Atlantic City and the state of New Jersey.”
The letter points out that while Assemblywoman Rowan’s industry-backed bill is framed as a “compromise,” the bill would actually retain indoor smoking in casinos at the exact same level it is now. The legislation serves only to compete with A2354 — the bipartisan bill that would completely close the casino smoking loophole and guarantee equal protection for all New Jersey workers.
The coalition emphasizes the severe health hazards of forcing casino employees to breathe toxic secondhand smoke just to earn a living, and that there is no safe level of exposure: “Studies have consistently shown that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has affirmed that prohibiting smoking throughout the entirety of a casino is the only effective way to protect workers from these harms.”
Beyond the devastating health impacts on an already vulnerable, lower-income workforce, maintaining indoor smoking actively hurts the local economy and customer satisfaction. “Today, 9 out of 10 people are nonsmokers, including the vast majority of customers and employees. By creating a healthier environment, casinos can draw in more patrons who may otherwise avoid establishments that allow smoking. This change will ultimately boost business, enhance the overall customer experience, and in turn contribute positively to the state's economy,” the letter says.
The coalition's letter urges Assemblywoman Rowan to rescind her so-called “compromise” bill to protect workers’ health and Atlantic City’s economy alike.
“Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We are confident that with your support, we can achieve a smokefree environment for all casino workers in Atlantic City, and one which will also lead to economic prosperity in the community. We would be eager to sit down together with you to discuss this legislation and find a path forward that protects workers and business. We look forward to seeing positive progress in the near future,” the letter concludes.
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Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for 50 years, since 1976, to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANR has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANR aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.
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