Workers in Atlantic City’s casinos, who are in favor of a smoking ban, have decided to take action themselves despite the unclear future of the ban. They gathered on Thursday to make their voices heard through smoking and speaking out.

The United Auto Workers union members caused a disturbance during a state Assembly committee meeting by smoking and directing the smoke towards legislators. The meeting had been planned to vote on a bill that would prohibit smoking in casinos.

The vote, which was scheduled for Wednesday evening, was discontinued after a prominent advocate for worker rights and the banning of smoking in casinos withdrew their support for a bill that would prohibit smoking in all nine casinos. Instead, they have now agreed to some demands from the casino industry, such as allowing enclosed smoking rooms.

Some employees were extremely angry – to the point of burning.

Seven members of the union, who work at three casinos in Atlantic City, started smoking inside the meeting hall of the State House Annex. This goes against the smoking ban that applies to almost all workplaces in New Jersey.

Daniel Vicente, a regional union director, informed lawmakers while exhaling smoke that smoking is prohibited in our workplace but permitted in theirs.

He and the rest of the group were quickly removed from the room where the hearing was taking place by State Police. They were later released without any charges.

Afterward, Vicente stated, “They claim it is acceptable for us to be exposed to secondhand smoke constantly throughout the day.” However, when we asked if we could do the same in their workplace, they deemed it inappropriate and against the rules.

Angry workers said they want the state’s top Democratic leadership to force a vote on the original bill that would impose a total smoking ban, but the likelihood of such a vote remains unclear.

Republican State Senator Vince Polistina, representing the Atlantic City region, has publicly joined casino employees in advocating for a ban on smoking. However, he has stated that the initial bill will not progress.

He reported that he is creating a fresh policy that includes suggestions preferred by the casino industry, while also striving to protect employees and patrons who do not wish to be exposed to secondhand smoke.

He stated that his discussions with leaders from both houses have indicated that there is insufficient backing for the proposed bill, which would prohibit smoking without any exceptions. He expressed his disappointment that despite two years of promoting and gaining support from fellow members, the Legislature still lacks the required support to pass a comprehensive smoking ban.

According to Polistina, he plans to propose the new legislation in the coming year after the current session of lawmaking concludes.

The proposed measure aims to ban smoking at table games and gradually decrease smoking at slot machines within 18 months. This would be achieved by enforcing a certain distance between table games and the nearest slot machines where smoking is allowed. Additionally, the casinos would have 18 months to construct enclosed rooms where smokers can still gamble, but the rooms would be managed by volunteers from the casino staff.

Last week, Shawn Fain, the international president of the United Auto Workers, who represents dealers at three Atlantic City casinos, spoke out against the proposal. He deemed the concept of smoking rooms to be “absurd” and urged lawmakers to approve the initial smoking ban legislation.

According to Polistina, if put into effect in the beginning of 2024, his proposal would prohibit smoking on the open casino floor by the autumn of 2025.

The statement was not well received by numerous employees of the casino.

Pete Naccarelli, a dealer at the Borgata casino and a prominent figure in the employee movement against smoking, accused Polistina of regurgitating talking points from casino executives and trying to pass them off as a viable solution. This behavior is disgraceful and repulsive.

On Thursday, Senate President Nicholas Scutari chose not to provide a statement. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin stated that they will figure out a way to pass this in both houses of the Legislature, without specifying which method he prefers.

The public smoking law in New Jersey contains a specific exemption for casinos, which has been a longstanding goal for workers to modify.

The casinos are against implementing a smoking ban, arguing that it would negatively impact Atlantic City’s business and lead to job losses as neighboring states allow smoking. However, workers dispute this claim and point to research that shows business actually improved at many casinos after a smoking ban was put in place.

The industry has recently put forth a suggestion for enclosed spaces for smoking, but has not disclosed any specifics to the public. The Casino Association of New Jersey has chosen not to share details about their plans for designated smoking areas. In a statement released on Thursday, the association stated, “It is evident that many individuals are recognizing the potential negative impact on Atlantic City’s economy as outlined in the current draft of the bill.”

Vicente acknowledged that the union members who interrupted the meeting successfully conveyed their message.

“I do not believe this will persuade them to pass a smoking ban,” he stated. “But did we effectively express our frustration with being the only ones forced to tolerate smoking in our workplaces? Absolutely.”

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