Caesars Entertainment’s shareholders are apparently not on board with a recent proposal to study the effects of smoke-free casinos. While activists continue to fervently promote the idea of smoke-free casinos, citing health-related concerns, gambling companies and their investors remain obstinate in maintaining the status quo.

The proposal was filed by public health and labor advocates from the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation and healthcare provider Trinity Health. The aforementioned organizations suggested that implementing a non-smoking policy across Caesars’ 52 properties in the United States could help the company save up money.

However, approximately 80% of Caesars’ shareholders voted against the proposal, following Caesars’ claim that change isn’t needed. For context, the casino operator described its smoking policy as a “complex business decision” and added that it currently complies with local regulations.

Caesars further explained that it doesn’t believe compiling a report on the effects of smoke-free casinos wouldn’t be an “effective use of company resources.”

Smoke-Free Activists Are Encouraged to Continue the Fight

While the proposal was rejected, its proponents said that they were encouraged by the support it received and plan to bring it back in 2025. For context, almost 19% of Caesars’ shareholders voted in favor of the support, sparking hope about the future of smoke-free casinos.

Paula Larson-Schusster, president of United Auto Workers Local 3555 and dealer at Caesars’ Flamingo casino hotel in Vegas, said that the support represents a “forward move.” She added that companies will not be convinced to go smoke-free easily but added that the proposal was but the first step in raising awareness on the matter.

Larson-Schusster was firm that a smoke-free policy would not hurt casino companies’ product but would actually make it more valuable.

Indoor smoking continues to be one of the hot topics of the American casino industry. Many states exempt casinos from the indoor smoking ban, allowing them to dedicate a portion of their gaming area as a smoking zone.

However, proponents of banning smoking at casinos argue that this exposes casino workers to high levels of unhealthy smoke and can potentially lead to health complications.

While casino companies fear that going smoke-free could deal a blow to their profits, supporters of this change point out that there are already casinos that prohibit smoking without seeing a decline in profits.

The multi-front war on smoking also continues in states such as Pennsylvania where CEASE and UAW recently asked lawmakers to end the loophole that allows casinos to offer indoor smoking.

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Atlantic City, known for its vibrant casinos and bustling nightlife, has long been a hub for those seeking their luck at the card tables or slot machines. However, behind the glitz and glamour lies a persistent issue that has been plaguing the city’s workforce for years: secondhand smoke.

Advocates Emphasize Worker Well-being Over Financial Concerns 

A group of casino dealers, led by individuals like Pete Naccarelli, Nicole Vitola, and Lamont White, have spearheaded a movement called Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) aiming to outlaw smoking within the confines of the city’s gambling establishments. Their efforts have gained momentum, with workers coming together to demand a healthier work environment.

For Naccarelli, who has spent 27 years in the casino industry, dealing with the constant presence of secondhand smoke has taken its toll. He describes dealing with a table full of smokers as “torture,” highlighting the physical and mental strain it inflicts on him and his colleagues, as reported by the HuffPost. 

Despite the risks associated with prolonged exposure to smoke, the current regulations permit smoking on 25% of the gaming floor, leaving many workers feeling helpless and unprotected.

The push for a smoking ban in Atlantic City’s casinos is not a new endeavor. Similar initiatives have been met with resistance from casino operators, citing potential revenue losses and job cuts. 

However, advocates argue that the well-being of workers should take precedence over financial considerations. They stress the need for a comprehensive ban to ensure a smoke-free environment for all employees.

Labor Union Rifts Emerge Amid Atlantic City Smoking Ban Debate

The debate surrounding the smoking issue has also revealed rifts within the city’s labor unions. While some unions, like the United Auto Workers, have thrown their support behind the ban, others, such as Local 54, have expressed concerns about the economic implications. Despite differing opinions, workers remain united in their pursuit of a healthier workplace.

Legislators in Trenton have taken notice of the workers’ demands, with a bill to ban smoking in casinos making progress in the state Senate.

However, challenges remain as lobbying efforts intensify, reflecting the complex interplay between public health, economic interests, and political dynamics.

As the debate continues, casino workers like Naccarelli, Vitola, and White remain steadfast in their resolve to enact change. For them, it is not just about fighting for a smoke-free environment. It is about fighting for their lives. And as they rally for their cause, they hope that Atlantic City will soon become a beacon of progress in the ongoing battle against secondhand smoke.

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Still, a final push to see a bill closing the loophole in public health law has been lacking, and this is why the United Auto Workers president, Shawn Fain, is now dead set on snuffing out cigarette smoke from gaming floors.

Mustering Support for Smoke-Free Casinos in New Jersey

He has recently won a pay rise for the union members, as the industry is scurrying to absorb costs, but also retain capable and skilled labor in the post-pandemic period. Shain and the UAW want lawmakers who are backing the proposed anti-smoking bill to make sure they move with it this Thursday during a scheduled hearing.

Casino workers have been the most passionate advocates calling for an end to smoking mandates since the pandemic, fearing for their health, but also because of raising awareness about the pernicious effects of second-hand smoking. Bipartisan support has been available with politicians of all stripes vowing to back the matter.

Even federal government representatives have spoken favorably of the matter, and yet, there seem to be one or two votes short. Fain now wants to see who the holdouts are and go after them it seems. Fain penned a letter in which he insisted that the voices of those suffering the most, casino workers and patrons, must be heard.

The UAW represents three casinos in New Jersey, Tropicana, Bally’s and Caesars, and workers in all three venues want to see tobacco and cigarette products banned as those have been repeatedly and empirically linked to worsening health conditions for workers. Fain’s letters state as much:

“Patrons blow cigarette/tobacco smoke directly into their faces for eight hours, and due to the nature of their work, table dealers are unable to take their eyes away from the table, so they bear through the thick smoke that surrounds their workplace.”

However, the UAW is also not willing to “negotiate” in the sense that there are certain red lines that can be crossed.

For example, an idea to have smoking rooms has been blasted by the UAW, widely echoing fears by employees that this measure would not significantly improve their conditions which are that they need to work while breathing secondhand smoke. Presently 25% of gaming floors allow smoking as an exemption to the state’s Smoke-Free Air Act.

A Complete Ban on What Is Long-Overdue Measure

Meanwhile, there have been such movements all over the country, which are gaining traction and will eventually succeed. New Jersey is not fully opposed to the idea but there is a lingering fear that if the measure is passed right away, then there may be unintended economic damage to the casino sector.

This has been dismissed by supporters of the bill, but even lawmakers who endorse the legislation agree that they may be a few votes short.

Fain’s appeal is strong, but it needs to reach the lawmakers who can cast the decisive vote and not be aimed at those who are already supporting the issue and feel remorseful that they can’t muster that last few votes to seal the deal. Thursday will be a new day to decide the matter during the upcoming Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee hearing.

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In a move towards a healthier environment in Pennsylvania’s casinos, Allegheny County Democratic Rep. Dan Frankel is making strides to ban indoor smoking within the state’s gambling establishments. Frankel, also the majority chair of the health committee, is leading the charge with House Bill 1657, known as the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act. 

Pennsylvania’s Smoking Ban Bill Advances to Crucial Health Committee Meeting

Scheduled for a vote on November 15, the bill aims to eliminate smoking inside casinos, creating a cleaner and safer atmosphere for both employees and patrons. The proposed legislation has already completed the initial stages, with Frankel actively garnering support from colleagues to co-sponsor the bill and successfully navigating it through committee discussions.

The health committee meeting, slated for next week, will mark the crucial fourth step in the process. At the meeting, 25 committee members, comprising 14 Democrats and 11 Republicans, will have the opportunity to offer amendments to the bill, which will be voted on individually. 

Frankel expressed confidence that the bill would receive an affirmative vote and bipartisan support, emphasizing that he does not bring a bill forward without certainty of its success, reported PlayPennsylvania.

While the timeline for the bill’s progress remains uncertain, Frankel is optimistic about its prospects. He hopes to see the bill on Gov. Josh Shapiro‘s desk for approval by March or April, a move that would mark the final step in the process. Frankel expressed confidence in Shapiro’s support for the legislation, underscoring the importance of prioritizing public health and safety in Pennsylvania’s thriving casino industry.

Parx Casino Paves the Way for Healthier Workplaces in Pennsylvania

One of the key arguments in favor of the smoke-free initiative is the positive impact it could have on the casino industry’s workforce. Parx, a leading casino operator, demonstrated that eliminating smoking does not hinder success. Both of Parx’s venues, in Bensalem and Shippensburg, have remained smoke-free since the pandemic. Notably, this decision has led to improved employee morale and reduced healthcare costs, as confirmed by Parx’s Chief Marketing Officer, Marc Oppenheimer.

Frankel emphasized that a smoke-free environment not only benefits employees but also enhances the experience for non-smoking patrons. He pointed out that those who wish to smoke still have the option to enjoy casino games online from the comfort of their homes.

Frankel’s initiative comes after previous attempts to implement similar legislation faced opposition, citing potential revenue drops. Advocates, including Pennsylvania’s Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) chapter, believe the ban could save lives and protect workers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Currently, only a few casinos in the state have voluntarily banned smoking, while others continue to exploit the existing loopholes.

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Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a smoking ban in Atlantic City’s casinos, and casino employees are hopeful that this change could become a reality later this year. 

CEASE Advocates for Smoke-Free Casinos Across States

Pete Naccarelli, a co-founder of CEASE, expressed confidence in the ongoing discussions with politicians in a statement for CDC Gaming Reports. Naccarelli mentioned that at present, 83 out of 120 members of the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate are in favor of bills aimed at removing the provision permitting smoking in casinos. However, he noted that despite this backing, the bills have not yet been presented for a vote.

The movement for smoke-free casinos is not limited to New Jersey alone. CEASE has expanded its reach to eight states, including Nevada, where a similar bill is under consideration. The organization’s efforts have gained momentum, with a formal committee hearing held on a bill to ban smoking in Pennsylvania casinos earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, in August, CEASE commended Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino for their decision to maintain a smoke-free environment on their casino floors. CEASE praised the move as evidence that smoking bans do not negatively impact casino profits. However, this stance faced opposition from Spectrum Gaming Group, which suggested that smokers might avoid casinos without smoking areas. Meanwhile, casinos in New Jersey disputed these claims, arguing that online gaming, not smoking bans, influenced their revenues.

Jennifer Rubolino, a table-game dealer at Rivers Pittsburgh, shared her experience, describing the smoke as “overwhelming.” She pointed out that the smoke not only affects employees but also seeps into non-smoking areas, causing health concerns for everyone. 

CEASE Hopes to Inspire Nationwide Movement for Clean Air in Casinos

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have long advocated for the elimination of smoking in public spaces, highlighting the health risks associated with secondhand smoke. CEASE members argue that the exemption of casino floors from clean-indoor laws contradicts the principles of a safe work environment.

CEASE’s push for a smoke-free environment has gained traction, with several tribal and commercial casinos voluntarily going smoke-free since the COVID-19 pandemic. Parx in Philadelphia, a leading casino in Pennsylvania, is one such example where the ban has not affected revenue negatively. Lamont White, another co-founder of CEASE, clarified that their protests are not against the casinos themselves but against state laws forcing workers and customers to endure smoke exposure.

White dismissed claims made by opponents, labeling them as outdated and unsubstantiated. CEASE members believe that by pushing for this change in Atlantic City, they can inspire other states to follow suit, ultimately creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for casino employees nationwide.

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The resorts in question, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, decided to opt out of indoor smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic, fearing that cigarette smoke could help the virus spread and infect more people. More than a year after the pandemic has been defeated, the resorts seem to show very little interest in bringing back smoking on their casino floors. Recently, even Kansas tried to push for an indoor smoking ban on casino floors.

Tribal Operators in Connecticut Continue to Say No to Smoking

The resort’s owners, the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, are citing their community members’ health, but also point out that the lack of cigarette smoke has not really impacted their financial bottom lines.

The debate to suspend smoking on casino floors has been ranging from Rhode Islands to California, with states such as New Jersey arguing that casino smoking should indeed go, but casino operators, including the Casino Association of New Jersey, cautioning that chasing smokers away would depress financial performance and slow down post-pandemic recovery.

Connecticut, however, tells a different story as the two biggest resorts there are obviously not seeing the point in bringing cigar smoke back. Jason Guyot, Foxwoods’ president and chief executive, said that there was more economic sense in opposing smoke as a matter of fact. He said that before the pandemic, sanitary staff would retrieve the equivalent of 200 packs of cigarette butts a day.

Those are usually made of plastic, which is also causing environmental harm. Jeff Hamilton, the president and general manager at Mohegan Sun, shared a similar sentiment in which he outlined that the company has been enjoying positive feedback from guests and employees, with people welcoming the chance to be healthy and enjoy their favorite games.

The Virus Forces Casinos and Resorts to Prioritize Health

Of course, tribal operators were also more susceptible to the pandemic. Their communities suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 virus, and that quickly made businesses established to serve those communities that the best option to protect members is to ensure that every precaution is taken – that meant snuffing out cigarette smoke on casino floors. Connecticut, though, is far from banning indoor smoking on casino floors.

Presently, nearly all states in the United States prohibit indoor smoking but make an exception for their gambling industry based on thin evidence. As Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have shown, cigarettes are not necessary for an economic boom.

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As wildfires rage on, spreading smoke and exacerbating the already poor air quality across the East Coast, Casino Workers Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) in New Jersey has raised concerns about the parallel between the outdoor environment and their daily workplace conditions.

Legislative Support Grows to Protect Casino Workers from Secondhand Smoke Dangers

Casino employees are forced to endure the dangers of secondhand smoke while working just a few feet away from smokers. Typically, they look forward to breaks as an opportunity to breathe fresh air outside. Unfortunately, due to the current air quality, stepping outside provides little respite from the unhealthy conditions they face indoors.

The impact of allowing indoor smoking in casinos is comparable to the effects of wildfires hundreds of miles away on the ability of individuals to breathe clean air on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. It has been nearly two years since smoking was reintroduced inside Atlantic City casinos, and CEASE continues to appeal to elected officials for legislation that will close the casino smoking loophole and prioritize the health of workers and non-smoking guests.

The New Jersey legislature has shown significant support for addressing this issue. S264 and A2151, legislation aimed at closing the casino smoking loophole and safeguarding the well-being of casino workers, have garnered an impressive 83 cosponsors in total. Of these, 26 cosponsors are from the Senate, while 57 are from the Assembly.

Legislative Committees Rally Behind Casino Workers’ Fight for Smoke-Free Environments

CEASE members testified before lawmakers in March during a hearing held by the Assembly Health Committee and the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and Arts Committee. They shared their firsthand experiences of working in a smoke-filled environment for extended periods and the severe health consequences they have endured.

Furthermore, in February, casino workers and their supporters, including the United Auto Workers and representatives from various public health organizations, testified before the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. Both the Senate and Assembly committees have demonstrated majority support for the proposed legislation.

Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has consistently expressed his intention to sign the legislation once it reaches his desk. He believes that prioritizing the health of individuals is the right course of action and that it will not hinder Atlantic City’s thriving tourism industry, emphasizing the city’s unique assets, including its oceanfront location.CEASE, an organization representing thousands of casino dealers and frontline gaming workers, strives to eliminate smoking from their workplaces permanently. The group has chapters actively working towards closing the casino smoking loophole in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Kansas, Virginia, and their home state of New Jersey.

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