| Atlantic City, NJ – During a call with reporters today, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) announced a new ad campaign focused on the children of Atlantic City casino workers who fear losing a parent to illness caused by repeated exposure to secondhand smoke. The “Kids of CEASE” video ads will run in key legislative districts, including that of Assemblyman Bill Moen, the chair of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee and prime sponsor of the bipartisan A2143. Chair Moen has the power to bring the bill up for a Committee vote at any moment, but for months he has failed to do so.
The first video features Ayana from Atlantic City, the granddaughter of CEASE co-founder Lamont White, sharing a heartfelt message about her grandfather who works at the Borgata and the impact of secondhand smoke on him and their family:
“My name is Ayana and I live in Atlantic City. My grandpa works at the Borgata. It can affect him a lot, just inhaling all of that while he’s at work for hours. I just pray that nothing happens to him while he’s at work. When he comes over after work, if we try to hug him, he won’t let us because he knows he smells like smoke. And he doesn’t want us to inhale that stuff. So we won’t be able to hug him. If they want to smoke, they should just take it outside.”
The second video highlights the personal story of Nathan, whose parents both work in Atlantic City casinos. Through his perspective, Nathan sheds light on the real fears children of casino workers face due to the ongoing exposure of secondhand smoke in their parent’s workplaces:
“My name is Nathan. My mom and dad work at the casino. I definitely worry for my mom and dad, letting people just smoke in their face. And I just worry about her and her baby. Since she’s pregnant, it’s not fair for my mom and dad. And I know they just want to protect us, but they are risking their lives for our lives.”
“As a grandfather and longtime employee at the Borgata in Atlantic City, I’ve seen firsthand the numerous co-workers that have fallen ill or suffered from the effects of secondhand smoke. The thought of my granddaughter Ayana worrying about my well-being every single day, it’s a weight I carry with me constantly,” said Lamont White, co-founder of CEASE and table games dealer in Atlantic City. “All I want is to see my grandkids grow up, enjoying each of their milestones. It’s time for New Jersey legislators to close the casino smoking loophole and protect workers like me and our families. Chair Bill Moen has the power to make this change, and we urge him to put this life-saving bill up for a vote.” |
