July 4th Marks 4 Years Since On line casino Staff Have been Needlessly Uncovered to Secondhand Smoke Once more—and They Are Nonetheless Left Ready
CEASE Calls on New Jersey’s Subsequent Governor to End the Job and Ship on Lengthy-Overdue Guarantees to Defend Staff
For Instant Launch:
July 3, 2025
Contact:
ceasesmokingnj@gmail.com
Atlantic Metropolis, NJ — Over the previous 4 years, On line casino Workers In opposition to Smoking Results (CEASE) has been combating to shut the loophole in New Jersey’s Clear Indoor Act and lengthen smokefree protections to on line casino staff. This struggle shouldn’t have been vital—after issuing a brief moratorium on smoking in casinos in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy lifted the restriction on July 4, 2021, forcing staff to as soon as once more bear the brunt of poisonous secondhand smoke. On the fourth anniversary of Governor Murphy’s devastating determination, the worker-led motion continues to be combating for our proper to wash air.
“In the course of the first yr of the pandemic, it grew to become abundantly clear that eliminating smoke from casinos advantages everybody — there was a noticeable enchancment within the well being and high quality of lifetime of on line casino staff, and casinos in Atlantic Metropolis prospered regardless of trade leaders’ sky-will-fall narrative,” stated Pete Naccarelli, longtime Atlantic Metropolis desk video games supplier and co-founder of CEASE. “Regardless of the proof, Governor Murphy introduced indoor smoking again anyway, proving that our representatives didn’t care about staff’ well being. 4 years later, the proof is clearer than ever that casinos don’t must sacrifice staff’ well being to foster financial success — the truth is, nearly 80% of South Jersey voters say they’d be extra more likely to go to a on line casino if it have been smokefree. So why are we nonetheless combating for our primary proper to breathe clear air within the office? Probably the most patriotic factor New Jersey lawmakers can do that 4th of July is cross smokefree laws as quickly as doable.”
The previous 4 years have seen progress, however there may be nonetheless a lot work to be achieved to completely shut the on line casino smoking loophole. Payments to shut the on line casino smoking loophole have been launched in each the State Meeting and the Senate, with S1493 clearing a committee vote final yr. In the meantime, a majority of the legislature has indicated help — and Governor Phil Murphy has repeatedly vowed to signal the invoice if it reaches his desk—but the invoice has stalled.
Forward of the New Jersey gubernatorial main election, CEASE met with candidates for governor and Normal Meeting to ask for his or her dedication to work for passage of smokefree laws. As Consultant Mikie Sherrill and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli assume their respective events’ nominations for New Jersey governor forward of the overall election in November, CEASE appears to be like ahead to extra productive conversations with every candidate to make a full-throated endorsement of smokefree casinos.
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On line casino Workers In opposition to Smoking (Dangerous) Results (CEASE) is a bunch of hundreds of on line casino sellers and different frontline gaming staff that shaped after indoor smoking returned on July 4, 2021 in Atlantic Metropolis, NJ and has expanded to states across the nation. CEASE is combating to completely take away smoking from our workplaces.
See what on line casino staff say about working in secondhand smoke: the Actual Deal
See what on line casino staff’ children say about their mothers and dads who work in secondhand smoke: children of CEASE
Learn a 2021 press launch for background on lawmakers and the tobacco trade in NJ
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