New Jersey is being called upon by Atlantic City casino workers who want to work in environments free of harmful secondhand smoking. In order to close the interior casino smoking loophole, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will compel the state Legislature to vote on bipartisan proposals.

CEASE, or Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, has asked Murphy to "forcefully" call on members of the General Assembly and Senate to vote on the smoking measures in what is basically a last-ditch push during the two-term governor's final days in office. Over the past few sessions, there has been strong support for the legislation that would amend the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act, which included workarounds to allow Atlantic City casinos to set aside up to 25% of their gaming floors for tobacco use. However, Democratic leaders have been accused of delaying the bills.

"As you near the end of your term in office, we are asking that you forcefully call on New Jersey’s legislative leaders to send the existing bipartisan legislation to close the casino smoking loophole to your desk so you can protect workers’ health and cement your legacy as a governor who stands by his constituents,” CEASE wrote Murphy.

160 casino employees who work as table game dealers and other front-line gaming staff signed the CEASE petition to the governor.

The CEASE Smoking Petition

Following Murphy's lifting of his COVID-19 emergency declaration and the reopening of indoor casino smoking in Atlantic City on July 4, 2021, CEASE was established. Since then, CEASE chapters have spread to Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kansas, Nevada, Michigan, and other states where smoking in casinos is still permitted.

Smoke-free casinos are just as competitive as smoking venues, according to a 2022 report from the now-defunct gaming consultant C3 Gaming. According to the survey, a growing number of gamblers are drawn to smoke-free casinos as smoking rates decline. According to the report, companies gain from smoke-free casinos by paying less for health insurance.

"As smoking rates continue to decline, casinos that allow smoking indoors are increasingly out of step with public opinion,” the CEASE letter declared. “In a Gallup survey, just 11% of Americans reported having smoked a cigarette in the past week. The Surgeon General’s report states that 75% of adults, including frequent casino visitors, favor smokefree policies.”

However, a rival research conducted the same year by renowned gaming consultant Spectrum Gaming discovered the exact opposite. A smoking ban in Atlantic City will result in lesser gambling income and 1,201–2,512 job losses, according to Spectrum researchers.

The nine physical casinos were expected to have a 10.9% decline in annual total gaming revenue.   

Murphy's Reaction

When contacted by the Press of Atlantic City for comment on the CEASE appeal, a Murphy representative stated that, should a measure come to his desk, the governor is still determined to sign legislation outlawing smoking in Atlantic City casinos.

“The health and safety of New Jersey’s casino workers remains a priority,” the spokesperson said.

The New Jersey Legislature operates in two-year cycles, in contrast to the majority of state legislatures. The current Legislature is in session until January 12, 2026, having started in January 2024.

On January 20, 2026, Mikie Sherrill (D), Murphy's successor, will take the oath of office. Additionally, Sherrill has stated that she is in favor of enacting a smoking ban in casinos.