Atlantic City suspends casino smoking ban

Associated Press

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 | 4:22 p.m.

Smoking will be permitted again in the city’s 11 casinos for at least the next year, as the City Council voted Monday night to overturn a temporary smoking ban that took effect 12 days ago.

Mayor Scott K. Evans signed the measure minutes after the vote. It will take effect Nov. 16, when the casinos will revert to a previous arrangement permitting smoking on no more than 25 percent of a casino floor.

Casino workers were divided over the smoking ban. Some at Monday’s meeting chanted, “Save our lives!” while others shouted, “Save our jobs!”

The Council acted after casinos cited the worsening economy and revenue that had already been declining because of stiff competition from slot machine parlors in neighboring states.

Liz String, a dealer at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, was one of those angered by the vote rescinding the ban.

“We finally have clean air, which is our right, and they’re taking it away from us,” Ms. String said. “I think we were betrayed.”

Not all dealers favor the smoking ban. A few dozen workers wearing red T-shirts that read “I Want to Work” were among an overflow crowd that started arriving more than two hours before the meeting started.

Robert McDevitt, president of Unite Here! Local 54, which represents casino hotel, food and beverage workers, pushed for the ban to be delayed, fearing that it could cost hundreds of union jobs.

In the seven days that ended last Friday, at a time when the stock market was seeing major losses, casino winnings fell by 19.5 percent, Mr. McDevitt said. That figure was confirmed by the state’s Casino Control Commission.

Under the smoking ban that was approved by the Council in April, the casinos could set up enclosed, ventilated smoking lounges where gamblers could light up away from the slot machines and gambling tables.

Eight of the 11 casinos have done that. Of the others, the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa has climate-controlled outdoor lounges. The Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort and its sister property, Resorts Atlantic City, made no provision for their smokers, who have to go outside to light up.

Ms. String said she dreaded going back to work at smoke-filled gambling tables.

“You can’t back away from the table because you’re responsible for all those chips in front of you,” she said. “There’s no way to escape. It’s torture.”

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By dave202 (Dave Griffith)

Oct. 28, 2008

8:48 p.m.

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Stupid dealers. They knew the work environment when they were hired. If you don't like smoke, don't become a dealer. Really simple.
By kloerwald

Nov. 2, 2008

11:53 a.m.

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Sorry "Dave2002", I have to disagree with you. Calling the Dealers Stupid is a very immature comment.
I love that commercial on TV lately showing the kids that are raised by smokers showing how many cigarettes they will smoke during their childhood. I do not say all smokers are rude, but a lot are and blowing smoke in people's face is not much worse than not brushing your teeth and blowing bad breath in peoples face.

Smoke is offensive to those who do not smoke if it's blown in their face. I have to admire those smokers who are polite and blow it away from those who do not smoke and for those who hold it under the table and do not let it smolder in an ashtray on top of the table.

I do not mind playing on tables with polite smokers like that. It's legal to smoke, but you should also be polite and considerate of those around you who do not.