“Allowing smoking on gaming floors not only poses significant health risks to workers and patrons alike, but it also encourages prolonged gambling sessions without breaks — a fundamental tenet of responsible play,” writes ANR in the letter.  

The letter points out that the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), a leading organization in the fight against gambling addiction, expressed support for ending indoor smoking as a means of promoting responsible gaming. The group wrote that “making casinos smoke free is likely to reduce the incidence of problem gambling and improve public health.”

According to the letter: “In New Jersey, an estimated 6.3% of adults (456,372) struggle with gambling problems. Notably, New Jersey temporarily prohibited indoor smoking during the pandemic to protect public health, yet this restriction was lifted once restrictions eased, despite the ongoing health concerns for employees and patrons. Smokefree legislation has been introduced in the Senate and Assembly (S1493/A2143) that would close the casino smoking loophole.”

The letter also cites a study from the Las Vegas-based C3 Gaming that underscores that while casinos acknowledge the link between smoking and problem gambling, few have acted on it. According to the report “A [recent] study commissioned by the Casino Association of New Jersey projects gaming revenue losses based on smokers having to take breaks, which is the antithesis of one of the principles of responsible gaming… Their argument that a casino will make more money if smokers remain at their games is the antithesis of one of the principles of responsible gaming.”

ANR points to a 2009 resolution by the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), which recommended smokefree environments for gaming, yet many casinos have failed to comply.

The letter urges gaming commissions, policymakers and legislators to examine the ways that indoor smoking undermines commitments to responsible gaming, and how adopting smokefree policies can both promote responsible gaming and ensure a healthier environment.

“ANR welcomes the opportunity to meet with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission to discuss how a smokefree environment can support and enhance responsible gaming practices. Ending indoor smoking will not only safeguard the health of patrons and employees, but also foster a more responsible and sustainable gaming environment for all,” the letter concludes.

Read the entire letter here.

ABOUT AMERICANS FOR NONSMOKERS’ RIGHTS

Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for over 45 years, since 1976, to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANR has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANR aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.