Atlantic City bans smoking on casino floor

NJ.com ^ | APRIL 23, 2008

[Eric Blair 2084]

Capping a battle that lasted more than a year, the Atlantic City Council voted 9-0 today to end the last major loophole to a tough statewide ban on smoking in public buildings that had conspicuously exempted gambling halls.

As a result, smoking will be prohibited on the gambling floor at all 11 Atlantic City casinos as of Oct. 15.

But patrons will still be able to light up in unstaffed smoking lounges away from the table games and slot machines, if the individual casinos choose to build them.

Casino workers -- many wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Nobody deserves to work in an ashtray" -- burst into sustained applause when the votes were counted and chanted "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"The employees of Atlantic City's casinos have hit a jackpot of their own tonight," said Dr. Arnold M. Baskies, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society in New Jersey and New York. "Hardworking casino employees have been keeping Atlantic City's multibillion dollar casino industry on a roll, but have been gambling with their lives for far too long."

Mayor Scott Evans said he would sign the ordinance within 10 days.

"We're going to save lives with this," he said. "People are going to be able to come here and enjoy a nice, smoke-free environment."

More than two dozen states nationwide regulate smoking inside casinos, eight ban smoking altogether inside the gambling halls, and two others will impose a total ban starting in 2009, according to Karen Blumenfeld, policy director of the New Jersey Group Against Smoking Pollution.

[Eric Blair 2084]

This is great. The Democratic People's Republic of NJ will now feel the pain that they inflicted on the owner of Bob's Bar and Grill in Hackensack.

Many Casinos are public corporations. They will now be forced to explain to shareholders why the 10% decline in casino revenue became a 35% decline.

The $600 mill in state revenues will dry up.

Meet me at Foxwoods!

Once again, it just proves that their is a God. The Native Americans will get rich, and the socialist DPRNJ will be poorer than it already is!

BTW...half the AC city council is already under indictment and housed in a smoke free jail.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Big Brother, Nanny State, Grant Junkie, Bogus Study, Junk Science, Social Engineering, Egalitarian, Central Planning, Sheeple Control, Health Nazi, Socialism, Collectivism

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We the People Sheeple of the United States Nanny State, in Order to form a more perfect Union Socialist Utopia, establish Justice Socially engineer a country of non smoking, physically fit, teetotalers, insure domestic Tranquility Smoking bans in bars, limits on unhealthy food and social drinking, provide for the common defense Universal Healthcare, promote the general Welfare health of the population whether they like it or not, in order to save above mentioned Universal Healthcare entitlement program from bankruptcy, and secure the Blessings of Liberty Dependency to ourselves progressive liberals and our Posterity Hitler Youth who we brainwash through public school education, do ordain decree and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Nanny State of Liberals.

[samtheman]

Well said. You hit the nail on the head. All those dancing casino workers so happy now might be singing a different tune when the layoffs start.

[webboy45]

A lot of resentment about a law that’s good for everyone.

[elkfersupper]

A lot of resentment about a law that’s good for everyone.

I am not aware of a law that's good for everyone since the 10 commandments.

If you are, and you think there is a good reason for additional laws, please cite one.

[Eric Blair 2084]

You are stuck on stupid. You’re missing the point by such a wide margin, I don’t even know where to begin.

Alright, let’s hear what you have to say.

[TheZMan]

self ping. I want to see the responses.

[TigersEye]

NJ ping

[2ndDivisionVet]

Good news for Biloxi/Gulfport casinos.

http://www.boomtownbiloxi.com

http://www.palacecasinoresort.com

http://www.ipbiloxi.com/main.htm

[TigersEye]

"We're going to save lives with this," he said. "People are going to be able to come here and enjoy a nice, smoke-free environment."

Not me. This is when my business goes elsewhere.

[gidget7]

See ya there Eric!! Foxwoods and Moheghan Sun are telling the state no, so far! The Rino gov lady is trying to get them to “talk” though. The taxes these casino's pay, per month, has to be the biggest source of income for these states. Will they ever learn NOT to bite the hand that feeds their coffers?

As for these do gooder workers, they may find a lot of their jobs unnecessary once this smoking ban goes into effect. Nothing was forcing these people to work there, if they want their jobs this was a dumb move.

Lastly, Atlantic City all but died once. This could cause it to happen all over again.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Well said. You hit the nail on the head. All those dancing casino workers so happy now might be singing a different tune when the layoffs start.

You have to give them a break. I suppose if they were really smart they would be doing research on a cure for breast cancer. Instead they took a job to dress in fishnet stockings and hand out drinks, or deal cards and had no f'ing idea there was smoking going on there when they took the job.

[eyedigress]

and had no f'ing idea there was smoking going on there when they took the job.

So true......................................................................................................................................................../s

[gidget7]

You think so? Some of us aren't even smokers! What is your favorite vice? How about we allow the govt to tax you for it's purchase at exorbitant rates, and then not allow you to use it anywhere.

This action is NOT freedom. That is what this is about.

[Horusra]

Man, are they gonna cry when they get laid off due to casino’s going under/losing revenue. I bet they whine to liberal politicians that it isn’t “fair” and that they deserve govt. compensation for their self inflicted joblessness.

Tobacco saves this country Billions of dollars a year and provides Billions in taxes and all the govt. wants to do is punish those who enjoy its free and legal use. sheesh

[Eric Blair 2084]

Foxwood and Mohehan Sun are subject to Federal law, not state law as sovereign Native American territory.

I’ll be at Mohegan Sun for my 40th birthday bash to donate $5,000 to the tribe and watch the Billy Joel concert.

[gidget7]

Cool. Hubby goes down a lot more often than I do, but we do go quite a bit. We like Foxwoods better, but some folks like Moheghan better. All a matter of preference, and we are lucky to have both. You can't beat the buffets! And there is never ever any smoke lingering in the air anywhere, no matter how many folks are smoking. Plus, if you walk through the “no smoking” Casino's, there is never more than a few people in them.

[timm22]

Casino workers -- many wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Nobody deserves to work in an ashtray" -- burst into sustained applause when the votes were counted and chanted "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Good heavens! Why is the city council wasting time with smoking when people in their town are being chained inside casinos, forced to work the blackjack table against their will? Didn't we fight a war to put an end to slavery in this country?

...Huh? You mean these workers were actually free to quit anytime they wanted? That they knew what they were getting into ahead of time?

Hmm...

[The Ghost of Rudy McRomney]

Yep, well said. I hope each and every one of those bastards that showed up to support this winds up out of a job. Their lungs will be pink and clean, though. When this crap went through in Las Vegas, I remember the casinos found ways to fire every employee that attended hearings and supported the ban there. Be careful what you wish for.

[Freedom4US]

Jawohl!

[eXe]

The wont be working in an “Astray” because they wont be working at all. Good news for us near Vegas.. because smokers are welcome on the casino floors here.

I would never set foot in a casino again if they banned it on the floors.

[Mr. Silverback]

Restaurant and bar closures in states and cities that have passed these bans say you’re way off the mark.

Then there’s the fact that the government has no business telling these business owners what they can o with their property. I hope you’re still happy when they start telling you what you can do in your house.

[JSteff]

“A lot of resentment about a law that’s good for everyone.”

How? Who says? Based on what grounds and evidence? Health? Freedom?

[Mr. Silverback]

Well said!

[Mr. Silverback]

When this crap went through in Las Vegas, I remember the casinos found ways to fire every employee that attended hearings and supported the ban there.

Whoa...how'd they manage that?

[Eric Blair 2084]

Oh, come on.

You’d show up in the casino for the free drinks and to hang out in the smoking lounge.

You just wouldn’t lose your money to them.

[Mr. Silverback]

A law that forces everyone to eat a serving of broccoli everyday would probably be good for everyone, too? Are you going to sign on for that, or resent it?

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[davisfh]

Since I neither smoke nor gamble I don't have a dog in this fight and probably shouldn't even comment. But I will anyway.

Squint as I might I can't quite make out what's on the other side of the October 15 event horizon. Could it be a quiet recision or is that the vortex of a black hole beyond that horizon.

Whatever it turns out to be, I will stay tuned. I'm secretly hoping that it turns out to be a black hole and, if so, will relish the thrashing, moaning, weeping and self flagellation of the various New Jersey governments. I so enjoy the suffering of those who, in their infinite wisdom, wound themselves grievously.

[AGreatPer]

PA casino are doing well. Table games are just around the corner. Bye, bye, AC.

BTW, NJ beaches at the casinos SUCK. They don't wan't you there.

AC was building itself to be a destination. Some place to have fun for the entire family. A stupid thing like this smoking restriction for the adults could ruin it all.

I read a great article that AC had to have 23-25 major resorts/gambling areas for the long run. Sure glad I don't have big bucks invested there.

Was just there last week. Even the Salt Water Taffy stinks anymore.

[Eric Blair 2084]

You’re scaring me. What is October 15?

Vortex? Black hole?

Do you know something that we don’t?

Should we all go out and spend $5,600,000 on the Amex card on October 14th...knowing we won’t have to pay back dime one since the world will end at midnight?

[longun45]

Does New Jersey have a large KY jelly plant, they will need it . As the revenues dwindle people will loose their jobs and AC will look more like ghetto than it does now. I cannot fathom how the people of New Jersey can continue to allow the government to rob and beat them like slaves.

New Jersey is not a free state.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Why? You have a problem paying $6 for a beach badge to access the coastline of your own country?

The money goes to the greater good...hope,,change.

They use it try to rid the water of toxic waste while you sunbathe in a smoke free environment.

[Eric Blair 2084]

People are leaving the DPRNJ in droves. 72,000 net tax paying residents lost last year alone.

If socialism is so great, why do they have to build a wall and shoot people who try to get on a raft or jump over to escape?

[Harrius Magnus]

Lucky for you that there isn’t a tax on sanctimony, and brash ignorance.

[AGreatPer]

"Nobody deserves to work in an ashtray" -- burst into sustained applause when the votes were counted and chanted "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

For Sale, Inexpensive Town Houses in Hammondton (sp?).
Most of the workers live in that general area.

Also, there are hundreds of new town houses around were the light house is and they are beautiful and house another great portion of employees. All of this is going to go down the tubes.

They can shout today, they don't even realize they will lose their jobs.

[FlingWingFlyer]

But...but...but it's George Bush who is trying to take away all of our freedoms and liberties with the Patriot Act.

Waaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

[meadsjn]

I'd sure like to see month-by-month reports on casino revenues and taxes after this takes effect.

Here's my predictions:
1) The number of customers will steadily decline.
2) Those who do visit will stay fewer hours.
3) Gambling revenue will steadily decline.
4) Taxes from gambling will steadily decline.
5) Casinos will lay off workers to stay in business.
6) The state will increase the tax rate on the remaining revenues to recoup their decrease in revenue.
7) The casinos will close when they get tired of operating at a net loss.

[Go Gordon]

Why? You have a problem paying $6 for a beach badge to access the coastline of your own country?

They only charge during the summer season. The money goes to pay for lifeguards, extra EMTs, cleaning/dragging the beaches each morning, trash pick-up and other costs directly resulting from people's use of the beach. Use the beach, you pay. Don't use the beach don't pay. Sounds like a fair system to me.

If you don't want to pay, go to wildwood where the beaches are still free. But then again, there is something like a 9% restaurant tax and an exhorbitant hotel room tax. Pick your poison.

[pandoraou812]

I live in NJ. I’ve worked in casino’s too. Now some of them the toke rate is down so low its hard to believe. My ex husband works in a casino & doesn’t smoke. He is always getting sick. Most workers have this point & I agree with it. There are air filters that could be put in so that the smoke wouldn’t bother the workers or the nonsmokers. The casino’s are just too cheap to put them in. Another fact is casino’s are not usually hiring full time either so they don’t have to pay health insurance. People do not make as much as you think either. I find no good reason why the casino’s can’t update their buildings with the latest & best air filters. That way everyone is happy. And yes I smoke.

[Alberta's Child]

I was actually happy to see this local Atlantic City measure succeed.

Not that I'm a fan of smoking bans, mind you. I just thought it was a damn disgrace that casinos were exempt from the statewide smoking ban that was passed a couple of years back.

BTW, it's worth noting that 2007 marked the first time in history that Atlantic City casino revenues declined. This state is so fouled up it's gotten to be comical.

[Clemenza]

And AC will continue to lose business. A bunch of ho hum casinos on a dirty beach with hookers and smack addicts bothering the day trippers on Pacific Avenue. Only good thing about AC is the White House Sub Shop.

[Jimmy Valentine]

The thing is that the casinos have awesome ventilation systems that push fresh air, periodically loaded with high oxygen through the casinos, such that there never is any smoke hanging in the air. No casino wants sleepy players;they don't spend money.

I would venture that the air quality in Trump's Taj, is better than the air quality outsideon the street in A.C.

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[samtheman]

That’s true. Some casinos do better at that than others but you’re right. I’ve been in casinos and been amazed at how many people were smoking and how little smoke was in the air.

But screw technology, right? Better to have nanny bureaucrats outlawing behavior and telling everyone else how to live.

By the way, I am NOT a smoker and I don’t particularly like cigarette smoke, but I’m also definitely NOT an anti-smoking fanatic and a DO particularly hate leftists of all shapes, stripes and sizes.

[CSM]

“A lot of resentment about a law that’s good for everyone.”

It is getting more and more saddening to see FReepers, supposed conservatives, applauding the growth of government and the infringement on private property rights.

[CSM]

“My ex husband works in a casino & doesn’t smoke. He is always getting sick. Most workers have this point & I agree with it.”

Who forced your ex husband to work in casinos?

[badgerlandjim]

bump