The former mayor of Atlantic City, Don Guardian (R), is one of the high profile residents of New Jersey who are in support of the anti-smoking bill. Guardian agrees with advocates that have joined together to demand for casino premises that are free of harmful air pollutants. For the former mayor now turned lawmaker, the Republican Politician has found himself supporting a bill that many high profile residents oppose.
Since 1990, the former mayor served the people of Atlantic City before he tried for a lawmaker seat. He clinched the seat but did not make it back after his 2017 reelected bid failed. He is now a lawmaker following General Assembly’s 2nd District that was effected a month ago. This installment comes as an aftermath to winning the lawmaker seat in November.
Barely a month after he was sworn into his new office, Guardian has come out strongly to support legislation prohibiting indoor casino smoking. The casino workers of Atlantic City have raised concerns over involuntary exposure to smoke at the places of work. They got temporary relief when all casinos in AC were required to observe Covid-19 containment measures. Now that the heat of the pandemic has been washed down, the workers feel that the conditions are unfair to those that do not smoke.
The casino smoking ban is a joint bill that has been championed by Guardian alongside his Republican colleague, Assemblywoman Claire Swift, both representing Atlantic City in the state assembly. The first appearance of the A2151 bill was February 7 when it was introduced to the senate by Herb Conaway (D-Burlington, Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester) and William Moen (D-Camden).
If the bill is passed into law, it will replace the exemption given to Atlantic City casinos following the passing of the NJ Smoke-Free Air Act of 2006. According to the earlier law, smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces but the regulations are different between casinos. Brick and mortar casinos are allowed to dedicate a quarter of their gaming floor space as smoking zones. The current mayor of Atlantic City, Marty Small Sr. (D) is yet to take a position regarding the smoking issue.
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Growing Support from the Republicans
The anti-smoking bill which was introduced to the senate as a Democratic Party effort has been attracting attention from Republicans too. The Trenton lawmakers are gradually joining their counterparts to offer support for the bill against smoking inside casino premises. Just like it is for the A2151, the S264 was also drafted and proposed by a Democrat leader.
Senators Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex) and Shirley Turner (D-Mercer) have also joined in to offer their support by fielding GOP. Swift explained her stand and that of her party by stating that they were trying everything to be bipartisan to casino workers of AC. The voice of the casino worker is heard through the Casino Employees Against Smoking’s Effects (CEASE). This is a lobby group that has come out strongly to oppose the practice of smoking inside casinos.
Their greatest concern is that smoke cannot be confined and allocating a proportion of the gambling floor to smoking ideally means that smoke is allowed to spread. Coincidentally, a large proportion of casino workers are not smokers but they are forced to work at close proximity to those who do. According to reports from CEASE, some dealers who are aligned to the lobby group cringe anytime a smoking patron comes to their table.
The smoke is uncomfortable to dealers and other patrons who do not enjoy smoking. After long term exposure, many casino dealers develop respiratory complications that will either incapacitate them or milk them of resources. CEASE spokesperson, Pete Naccarelli, declares that his members are just tired of the smoke that makes them sick all the time.
Strong Opposition from Casinos
The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ), has since the bill was tabled in senate opposed efforts supporting its approval. This is in line with its capacity as the lobby group’s mandate to advocate for the interests of its members.
The Gross gaming revenue earned by the nine casino brands in Atlantic City, remains significantly low, and casinos are exploring ways of maximizing profits. The brick-and-mortar establishments were particularly affected by Covid-19 and the recovery is far from achieved. In 2021, the cumulative casino industry gains summed up to $2.55 billion which is 4.9% less than the $2.68 billion achieved in 2019.
According to the president of Hard Rock Atlantic City, Joe Lupo, banning smoking within casino premises would be a business disadvantage for the industry. Since casinos in the neighboring state of Pennsylvania will not be adopting the same law, NJ risks losing customers. Philadelphia based casinos currently designate half of the gaming floor space to smoking visitors. This is incomparable to what the New Jersey gambling market is currently offering and taking that percentage lower would be damaging.
In news published recently, it is clear that the government of New Jersey saved the casino operators in AC from paying high substantial taxes. The legislative action that resulted in this end was initiated by Stephen Sweeney who is a former state senate president. According to Sweeney, about 4 casino brands in AC risked closure if they did not receive a tax break.
Even though the claims were rather profound, the former senate president did not reveal the identity of the four casinos. Neither did he offer insight into the claims made before he left his government job a month ago. The leadership position that Sweeney held was grabbed by a Republican truck driver, Edward Durr, who is a newcomer in politics.
Final Thoughts
Smoking inside enclosed spaces is a health hazard not to mention the discomfort of inhaling smoke against one’s will. Even though legislators will often take sides based on the direct benefit they get for offering their support, standing on the truth is more important. The former mayor of Atlantic City had decided to stand with what is right in the hope that others who share his opinion will join in.
