Smoking Ban Proposal for Casinos in Atlantic City is Hotly Contested

February 12, 2007, the casinos located in Atlantic City should already be smoke-free because of a proposed smoking ban, but a broader smoking ban should be held-off until it is already crystal clear on how a partial smoking ban would affect the casinos and the business sector in Atlantic City, according to Gov. Joe S. Corzine that day. About a quarter of the casino gaming floors will be sealed off and will be set aside for smoking areas by April 15, 2007 under the new regulations imposed by the city.

Corzine said that it is best if the casinos will be really smoke free, but this is a good step if they want a full smoking ban. The city council plans to implement a full smoking ban in the casinos, which in turn will make Atlantic City to be the biggest gambling destination in the United States to do so. But the city council has put a hold on their plans after staunch opposition coming from the casino industry.

The legislation have also exempted the casino establishments from the smoking ban in New Jersey on smoking in public areas, which have been enforced last April because of the worries that it might hurt one of the biggest profit producers in New Jersey. Under the partial smoking ban, casinos must build a separate room with floor to ceiling walls and put in ventilation systems that will draw out the smoke from the building.

The penalty on those people who will be caught smoking for the first time is at $25 dollars. Corzine said that for the meantime, they just have to observe on what will happen with a partial smoking ban. A supervisor for the Caesars Atlantic City, Jennifer Guillermain, commented that she personally thinks that a separate smoking are will not work at all.

The Casino Association in Atlantic City announced that they do not have any plans of challenging the smoking ban impose by the city council. The president of the casino industry, Joseph Corbo declined to comment on the matter. He has said previously that separate smoking areas are more acceptable because they will have a lesser effect than a statewide smoking ban.

06/13/2007, Wednesday