One of the last acts of Acting Governor Richard Codey before leaving office in January was to sign a bill banning smoking in bars and restaurants across New Jersey. Codey had made the smoking ban one of his key goals during his administration. The ban is all-inclusive except for the gaming floors in Atlantic City casinos and "cigar bars." Restaurants and bars had lobbied against the ban to no avail. They are expected to see a moderate decrease in business for several years until the public gets used to the measure. Restaurants and bars in casino hotels are also included in the prohibition. The Casino Association of New Jersey lobbied for the casino floor exemption by presenting a detailed study that estimated the state would lose millions of dollars in gaming tax revenue and hundreds of casino jobs as a result of the loss of business following imposition of a total smoking ban. Much of the evidence of business losses was garnered from a similar smoking ban imposed at Delaware racinos, which lost 20 percent of their customers in the first year. Some legislators reluctantly agreed to the gaming floor exemption in order to get the bill passed, but vowed to revisit a total ban at a future date.

By Casino Connection Staff

Please login to post your comments.