Possible smoking ban in AC

[JHock12]

This idea is for the birds.  The casinos will lose a lot of business to PA, CT, and Vegas.  The nanny-staters just don't get it.  P.S. I don't even smoke and I think this is crazy.

[Eduardo]

Are there statistics on how this has affected other places because I know a lot of people that would MUCH rather go to a plce where smoking is not allowed than to have to suffer through sitting next to someone puffing away and coming home smelling like a coal miner. (No offense to coal miners)

[BOOPSAHOY]

It is one of the few places left that we can smoke. I am a very considerate smoker and i hate that I get a bad rap because of inconsiderate people. There are "no smoking sections" and I do not smoke there only in allowed areas, and even when its an allowed area if I sit next to a nonsmoker I will not light up.  I have not been to a bar since they banned smoking there.  I dont know if we will still go to AC if they do ban it. Whats the fun of having to run outside (especially in winter) and anyway, what we enjoy is a cup of coffee, a smoke, and a hot VP machine! Cant they just make more nonsmoking areas?

[Webman]

One would think that if non-smoking were truly a benefit financially, someone would just open a non-smoking casino to compete. Or, as Boops suggests, make more defined non-smoking areas to keep both sides happy.
 
Clearly attendance isn't the driving factor of these non-smoking bills that are passing around the nation. People are going to be upset either way.

[Eduardo]

Where would it be allowed to smoke?  In certain areas or only outside?

[JHock12]

I just got back from AC and I asked a ****tail waitress at Showboat how she felt about it and she said she is afraid for her job because people are not going to walk out on the boardwalk when it is 2 degrees out.  She would like to see more non-smoking areas in the casino and she would like to see the non-smoking areas enforced more but her union told her that it is inevitable that it will happen and that some people might be laid off if the business suffers.  By the middle of Jan. it will be a moot point because the AC city council is determined to pass this law.  The state doesn't have the stones to stand up to the casinos and they would have never passed the ban in bars & restaurants in April if the casinos weren't exempted.  If the people of NJ vote to ban smoking everywhere then I have no problem with it-but this whole thing was never put up to a vote and that is just wrong.

[rascal]

Casinos have traditionally been smoker's paradises. I accept this, even as a retired health care professional who does not smoke and will not knowingly inhale a lot of second hand smoke, which has been proven to be just as harmful as the original smoke.
 
The answer is smoke-free sections that are truly smoke-free. I have seen these and they are always crowded with players, so there is definitely a market.
 
By truly smoke-free, I mean a separate air intake-exhaust from the rest of the casino, and signage as one enters the area --- not just on the machines, but at the entrances. Sometimes you see smokers wandering through the area who are not aware that it is smoke-free until they sit down....there must be signs at the entrances. In addition, the smoke free area must be sealed off from any smoking areas.
 
I do not want to infringe on smokers who are enjoying themselves, so having a truly smoke-free section in every casino is the way to go. The air quality people can come in and monitor the area from time to time to certify it as smoke free. The cost would be very low in return for the benefit.
 
There are several good smoke free areas in Vegas (Wynn comes to mind immediately) but the best I have seen is at Imperial Palace in Biloxi, where they have a whole separate floor reserved for non-smokers. It is very clear, fresh air, and it is always crowded!
 
So don't outlaw smoking, but do provide a truly smoke free area for the non-smokers. Smoke free areas that are not 100% clear of smoke do not qualify.
 
I love smokers, but I love my lungs even more!

[BOOPSAHOY]

Rascal you are right on! Its amazing to me that they may do this. I was purposely watching this weekend at the Taj Mahal and I think that at least 50% of the people were smokers and I didnt even check out the areas that the Asian players frequent--they are known to be major smokers. They just need truly smoke free areas. I know it would be expensive to install but wouldnt it be worth the money? Is the law going to be just "no smoking" or can it be modified to no smoking OR truly nonsmoking areas must be added?

[JHock12]

Last I read this councilman, who is a "health lawyer", whatever that is, posted this ordinance to the the AC city council and they unanimously voted to consider it in their December 29th meeting.  If it is approved, supposedly it will go into effect 20 days from the day the mayor signs it into law.  Undoubtedly the casino owners and some local pols will be at the meeting trying to reason with them, but I would'nt count on it being knocked down.  I really would like to see some reasonable compromise reached, but the anti-smoking groups have a lot of clout in NJ after the ban in restaurants and bars was passed.  What I will say in regards to its effect on business is that I am a frequent visitor to the Meadowlands race track, and the daily attendance and handle has declined considerably since April 15th.  These are facts-you can look it up-I did. Not that this matters to the nanny-staters, but this is the world we live in, and these are the people we voted into office. 

[BOOPSAHOY]

It scares me that if u let them ban smoking the next step is banning gambling!