Gov. Murphy shows support for smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos, operators oppose

Governor Murphy expressed his support for a smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos on Tuesday. Casinos in the resort operated smoke-free from July 2020 to July 2021 due to a temporary ban initiated by Murphy himself, shortly after the venues reopened following COVID-19 closures. But now, the Governor could seek to make the ban a permanent one.

Asked in an interview with News 12 about whether he would approve a bill passed by the state Legislature to ban smoking within gambling facilities, Murphy responded: “You should assume that I will sign it.”

While cautiously optimistic Murphy’s stance, Bob Zlotnick, co-founder of Smoke Free AC, remarked the initiative would have to get through the Assembly first. “We’re hopeful, it’s really good news that Gov. Murphy said that, but if it doesn’t hit his desk, he has nothing to sign,” said Zlotnick, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

Nonprofit organization Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights also welcomed the news and the governor’s clear answer that he would sign legislation “to close the casino loophole and protect the health of gaming employees while they are at work,” but also shared similar concerns.

“We know that Senate President (Steve) Sweeney, in particular, stands in the way,” said ANR CEO Cynthia Hallett. “The governor must go further and publicly call for Sen. Sweeney and Speaker (Craig) Coughlin to send a bill to his desk in the lame duck session. Atlantic City casino workers cannot wait any longer.”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a one-term Democrat governor seeking his second term in September, seems now firmer on his stance than he was months ago. During a coronavirus briefing in June, he stopped short of supporting the ban, saying: “I would be very constructive on that legislation.”

Six state officials have co-sponsored legislation in the Senate to close a loophole in the state law, eliminating the smoking ban exemption for casinos. In 2007, New Jersey passed a Smoke-Free Air Act, which stipulated that Atlantic City could designate 25% of the gaming floor for smoking.

The bill is causing controversy among lawmakers and casino operators. While anti-smoking organizations and certain officials welcome the implementation of a permanent ban, the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) claims banning smoking would hurt Atlantic City venues.

“Going completely nonsmoking would place Atlantic City casinos at a competitive disadvantage with other nearby casinos that allow smoking,” said officials with the Casino Association of New Jersey earlier this year. “A smoking ban would have a significant adverse effect on Atlantic City, resulting in a decline in customers which would cause job loss, and ultimately a decline in tax revenue.”

During the pandemic, Pennsylvania and Michigan also issued temporary bans at gambling destinations to help cut transmission of the virus as venues reopened. But as all three states have lifted the temporary prohibition, New Jersey casinos believe a permanent ban in the state would send guests to Pennsylvania.