Casino workers in Atlantic City are urging New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to address indoor smoking regulations during his 2025 State of the State Address. The workers, represented by CEASE (Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects), seek to eliminate the smoking exemption that currently allows tobacco use in casino gaming areas.

Current legislation, the Smoke-Free Air Act of 2006, permits smoking in designated areas of casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games. While Governor Murphy has expressed support for smoke-free casinos, he has yet to actively push for legislative change.

Two bills addressing this issue - Assembly Bill 2143 and Senate Bill 3372 - remain stalled in committee. Casino industry representatives argue that a smoking ban would negatively impact revenue and employment, but CEASE counters this claim by pointing to successful smoke-free establishments like Pennsylvania's Parx Casino, the state's highest-grossing facility.

Lamont White, CEASE co-founder and Borgata dealer, emphasizes that Murphy's legacy depends on addressing this issue before leaving office. The organization formed after Murphy's temporary COVID-19 smoking ban expired in 2021, and they continue to advocate for permanent change to protect casino workers from secondhand smoke exposure.

The Governor's seventh State of the State Address, scheduled for 3 pm today, represents one of his final opportunities to influence this legislation before his term-limited tenure ends.

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