Garden State Times

Senator Vince Polistina (R-02) has reiterated his commitment to protecting casino workers from secondhand smoke exposure by proposing a new bill, following the removal of S-264 from the Senate Health Committee agenda for Thursday, December 14.

"It is disappointing that after two years of advocating and building support with our colleagues, we still do not have the necessary support in the legislature to get a full smoking ban passed," expressed Sen. Polistina. He acknowledged the challenges faced in pushing for a smoking ban but emphasized the importance of addressing secondhand smoke exposure for casino employees.

Highlighting the industry's perspective, Sen. Polistina stated, "The casinos believe that they can meet our goal of eliminating employee and patron exposure to secondhand smoke with a structured plan and additional capital investment into their properties over the next couple of years." He recognized the concerns raised by casinos regarding job loss and closures, which have influenced some lawmakers' views on the matter.

In response to the current circumstances, Sen. Polistina revealed plans to introduce a bill that aims to strike a balance between protecting workers' health and addressing industry concerns. The proposed bill will include measures such as eliminating smoking at table games, gradually reducing smoking at slots over an 18-month period, and implementing a stricter plan for capital investment to construct designated smoking areas.

If the bill is enacted in early 2024, it is projected that there will be no smoking on the casino floor by the fall of 2025. Sen. Polistina believes that this approach will address the need to safeguard workers' health while considering the significance of the casino industry to the region and the state.

For further inquiries or to speak with Sen. Polistina, individuals are encouraged to contact Kyle Fischer, SRO communications director, at [email protected].