Workers in Atlantic City, N.J., together with the UAW, are fighting to end the currently legal presence of smoke where they spend their work hours. Although New Jersey passed its Smoke-Free Air Act in 2006, casinos were exempted. That means that those who work there day after day, hours upon hours, are exposed to secondhand smoke, which causes harm to respiratory and inflammatory systems. Atlantic City executives say that banning smoking will hurt the industry, as patrons who smoke will leave for casinos where smoking is allowed. The UAW has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Murphy and the state health commissioner to try and finally guarantee a smoke-free workplace.
Read the full story by Kim Kelly for In These Times, published here: https://inthesetimes.com/article/new-jersey-casino-workers-smoke-free
