Steve Raymond

Steve Raymond

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Atlantic City casino workers fight indoor smoking

Table with playing cards and chips in casino

Photo: South_agency / E+ / Getty Images

While society and the world work to ban indoor smoking in public places, one of the few refuges left for this vice are the Atlantic City casinos. "A gross injustice" says Pete Naccarelli, a 27-year veteran of the casino industry. He says dealing to a table of smokers can be "torture." "You can't smoke in parks, on beaches..but you can smoke directly in my face," says the 46-year old Naccarelli. Here's the problem: Casino operators have pushed back against the idea of a smoking ban, claiming they would lose business to Pennsylvania casinos. It makes sense. It's about the money. Not the health risks of employees or the "stank" on their clothes that they bring into their homes after a long day on the job. No doubt, casinos in New Jersey and everywhere else have been fighting smoking bans for years, claiming they would lead to lost business and the job cuts that would come with it. Presently, twenty states now forbid smoking in their gambling venues. In New Jersey, where smoking was outlawed in bars, restaurants and other public spaces in 2006, casino operators can still allow it on 25% of the gaming floor. That makes 75% of the public floor is smoke-free. Tell that to the "smoke" that permeates freely with no barriers. Enter dealer Naccerelli who along with some fellow Borgata dealers have formed a grassroots coalition to do public battle. With the State of New Jersey Legislature ready to begin a new session, hopes are a decision or law could be passed and be a reason to celebrate. With powerful lobby groups representing the operators workers shouldn't hold their collective "breath," except, that is during a long shift on the floor.


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