Turner Bill Advances To Ban Smoking In Casinos

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John Adler, Shirley K. Turner and Joseph F. Vitale which would eliminate the smoking ban exemption for New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 35-0.

“Today’s Senate action is a huge win for New Jersey,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “It sends the message that the public interest, and our health, is our most important priority. With this vote, we guarantee smoke-free indoor air, not just for casino patrons, but employees who risk their health just by going to work.”

TRENTON – Key Senate Democrats are moving forward to impose a total smoking ban in Atlantic City casinos.

Senator Joseph F. Vitale, Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, today said the bill he is co-prime sponsoring to impose the smoking ban will be posted for consideration by the panel on Monday (Feb. 26th).

TRENTON – Senator Loretta Weinberg, a prime sponsor of New Jersey’s “Clean Indoor Air Act” legislation to ban smoking in restaurants and bars in New Jersey, issued the following statement regarding the need to move quickly on legislation that would extend the ban to casinos:

“Yesterday, a report from the U.S. Surgeon General underlined the need to protect all of New Jersey’s workers from the poison of second-hand smoke.

TRENTON – Three leading Senate Democrats – John H. Adler, Shirley K. Turner and Joseph F. Vitale – will lead an effort to ban smoking in casinos where it is allowed under the new Smoke-Free Air Act which doesn’t take effect until April 15.

“We’ve accomplished a significant smoking ban across most of New Jersey,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “Now, let’s finish the job.”

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, a prime sponsor of the bill, S-1089, to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos, said its enforcement will save “thousands of lives” of casino workers who otherwise would contract deadly diseases due to second-hand smoke.

“This bill literally will save lives by commuting work-related death sentences,” said Senator Vitale, Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, which approved the bill unanimously today and sent it to the full Senate.

TRENTON – Senator John H. Adler today praised a Senate panel for releasing his bill, S-1089, to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos.

“This is truly a last gasp for public smoking,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “It’s time for casinos to stop rolling the dice with people’s lives.”

TRENTON – Senator Joseph F. Vitale, a driving force behind the law creating the “New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act,” which banned smoking in restaurants and bars in the Garden State, issued the following statement regarding reports that an Atlantic City Council ordinance extending the ban on smoking to casinos may be watered down before a vote tomorrow evening.

“Tomorrow night, the Atlantic City Council has the opportunity to close a loophole in our State law banning smoking in indoor workplaces which adversely affects the health and well-being of the thousands of casino employees in the Garden State.