No Mention of Casino Smoking in Gov. Murphy’s Tuesday Address

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy just delivered his seventh State of the State Address, promising to dedicate his remaining time in office to the people of the state. However, his address didn’t include a mention of a ban on casino smoking.

Murphy’s Term Is Nearing Its End

As Murphy’s term nears its end, he prepares to step down from his position. Since he is term-blocked, he will be unable to run for reelection. Several candidates have already announced their decision to join the race for the Governor’s seat, potentially changing the future of New Jersey.

Murphy’s State of the State Address was delivered on Tuesday, highlighting some of the government’s priorities. The Governor highlighted his desire to maintain New Jersey’s reputation as the “best state to raise a family” and vowed to support the people of The Garden State until the end of his term. Murphy’s address also included mentions of lowering costs to ensure economic security for the people of the state.

While economic security is good to have, casino workers couldn’t help but feel let down since their worries were not addressed.

Workers Want to End Indoor Smoking

Prior to the delivery of the State of the State Address, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), an organization seeking to put an end to indoor smoking in America, asked Gov. Murphy to protect the casino workers in Atlantic City by advocating for a ban.

Atlantic City’s nine casinos, for context, are exempt from the ban on indoor smoking. While only a portion of their gaming area is permitted to allow smoking, this still exposes casino workers to significant health risks. Previously, concerned casino workers have complained that their health has deteriorated because of the constant exposure to secondhand smoke.

CEASE and other activist groups have long opposed this loophole and have asked the government to prioritize the workers of New Jersey over corporate profits. Gambling operators, on the other hand, have remained adamant in their opposition to any meaningful change, noting that a ban on smoking could lead to a decline in business and, by extension, layoffs. Casinos are already struggling with other financial problems and have warned that a ban on smoking may channel players toward casinos in Philadelphia.

Murphy Did Not Address the AC Situation

Unfortunately, Gov. Murphy didn’t address the issue, to CEASE’s dismay. The organization had hoped that the Governor, who once promised that he would sign a bill to end indoor smoking if one got to his desk, would do one final push to protect casino workers in the state.

Murphy also refrained from addressing Atlantic City’s woes as a whole. For context, the city has one of the highest unemployment rates in New Jersey. Many of the working AC citizens, on the other hand, earn roughly half of the statewide average.