Atlantic City Casinos Are Now No-Smoking Areas by David Kaleky

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Atlantic City Casinos Are Now No-Smoking Areas
by David Kaleky

Polls of New Jersey residents indicate that an overwhelming majority support an indoor-smoking ban. But some of the protestors -- and many health experts -- say one controversial provision in the bill that caters to casinos indicates the state's politicians may have an addiction of their own -- to money, power and the influence of big business.

The 90-day deadline would likely be tougher to meet for some casinos than others. Unlike the majority of the city casinos, Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City Hilton, Trump Marina and Resorts Atlantic City all submitted plans to the DCA for smoking rooms located on their gaming floors. Changing and resubmitting their plans to the DCA would put them at a disadvantage to other casinos who already submitted plans strictly for smoking lounges. Atlantic City gambling houses have been reluctant to spend millions of dollars on the smoking enclosures called for in last years law, fearing the money would be wasted if a nationwide ban on casino smoking superseded the city's law.

The Casino Association of New Jersey, the smoking ban would hurt Atlantic City's ability to compete with out-of-state casinos where smoking is permitted, and that jobs will be lost as casino business falls off. But the casinos are willing to comply with the new law as long as they have enough time to plan for and build the smoking lounges.

Unpredictably, that resolution has not been appreciated by dealers and other casino workers who are still exposed to cancer-causing cigarette smoke. However, one casino, the Tropicana, came up with a plan to make its casino floor smoke-free except for enclosed smoking lounges, thus sparing dealers from having to stand a foot or two away from lit cigarettes. Other casinos followed go with these lounges.

Offering smokers a place to light up without having to walk too far from the slot machine or table where they're playing is a practical solution. Smokers can get their fix without having to walk far to get to the Boardwalk or street. Dealers and other workers don't have to breathe in the smoke and risk their health.

According to health experts, the ban has already started to show short-term benefits to the health of the nation and there are expected to be significant long-term benefits. According to a new report released in England, over 40% of smokers who tried to quit their habit, did so because of smoking bans in public places where they went. Smoking bans are becoming more and more of a common thing in the U.S. and abroad. Smoking ban regulation that was passed in Atlantic City, New Jersey to ban all smoking on the casino floor in Atlantic City casinos seems do more than protect others from second-hand smoke, they may also help current smokers who may want to quit, but lack the motivation. Secondhand smoke which not only damages the delicate cells that line blood vessels but also disrupts the body's natural repair mechanism for those cells and leads to heart diseases.

There was mixed reaction to a full smoking ban among some other patrons of the seaside resort. Some smokers forced to not to smoke as because the full ban’s becoming law and some of them are not interested in visiting Atlantic City no more and they wish to fit out to Places like Las Vegas where smoking is allowed.
Every year an estimated 53,000 Americans die because of exposure to secondhand smoke, say health experts, and that's not to mention the hundreds of thousands who develop serious diseases as a result -- cancer, asthma and heart disease. So far,18 states have passed laws banning smoking in public places, but sometimes special exemptions in
those laws make the bills all but meaningless.
A ban on smoking should not deter people who enjoy casino entertainment from smoking - rather it will give them a reason to choose to play in a casino in a neighboring state. A ban on smoking will for sure put New Jersey at a competitive disadvantage, as eighboring states will benefit from New Jersey's loss.

Author's Biography:

David Kaleky owns and operates the leading site about

Posted on: May 15,2008

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Website: http://www.atlanticcity.com