I'm back

[njmike37]

JHock,
 
There are already quite a few people who have stated that they won't return because of the mass-confusion.  I went over to Caesar's this evening to play a little poker (not VP) and was shocked on how confusing the smoking section was.  There are signs posted on top of the slot machines at random "Smoking Permitted" and "Smoking Prohibited."  1st of all, those two phrases look way too similar, especially when you're at a distance, and 2nd of all, in some sections it actually varies from row to row.  I got yelled at by a security guard for smoking near a machine that was about 4 feet away from the smoking section (since you can't smoke in the poker room..)  I said that the sign on the machine 4 feet away says that you can smoke, and he replied "This is the non-smoking section sir, put it out!"  It just flat-out stinks..
 
At least the high-rollers are happy.  It seems like all the casinos kept the smoking sections intact for them.  If they go completely non-smoking, we'll lose a lot of people to PA, DE, and CT. 
 
Mike 

[babybubba]

If you're a smoker you should be yelled at, scorned, ridiculed and humiliated by anyone with a brain. You watched your fiance go through an illness and that didn't make any lights go on inside about your neglect for your OWN health? (never mind, of course, your disregard for those who are intelligent enough not to do what they can to get lung cancer).

[njmike37]

Rob,
 
Excuse me?  You know absolutely nothing about me or my fiance, and you certainly don't know what she went through.  By the way, she is also a smoker.  I have been a smoker for about 10 years now.  I have tried to quit 5 times in those 10 years unsuccessfully.  I've tried the patch, the gum, hypnosis, and even went to the doc and he prescribed these pills geared at helping you quit.  Nothing has worked so far, but I still have hope that I'll be able to quit in the near future.  Quitting is easy for some, and not so for others.  And if you are not a smoker, you have NO idea about how hard it is..
 
By the way, before you go insulting me yet again, I do have some intelligence.  Just because I chose 10 years ago to start a bad habit does not make me dumb.  I do have a college degree (even though I chose not to pursue my major upon graduation..)
 
Oh, and I do have regard for those who choose not to be around smoke.  I never smoke while playing unless someone else next to me is smoking or the seat is empty.  I do have respect for others who choose not to inhale my second-hand smoke.
 
Mike

[babybubba]

If you feel that why then why complain about the smoking/non-smoking set-up in AC casinos? I believe the voters said no smoke in them period because the employees are being hurt by it and most of the customers don't like it. Yet the casinos got that partially overridden because they just couldn't stand the thought of addicted smokers not coming through their doors to act out their other vices.
 
My point on your finace was that people who pick up on what illness does to loved ones surely would be affected enough to do what they can so as not to let it happen to them. But you're saying it doesn't matter. We're all gonna die, but all you and she are doing is giving yourselves a better chance of dying painful & humiliating deaths. I've seen it enough, and I have harsh words for anyone who smokes--especially those who manufacture ANY complaints whatsoever about what the civilized world responds to smokers with.

[njmike37]

If you feel that why then why complain about the smoking/non-smoking set-up in AC casinos? 
Because I'm an employee of the AC casinos.  I don't exactly think it's good for business.  I also feel that the way that the smoking issue is being presented is treating the smokers like criminals.  I respect the non-smokers rights to play in an environment that is non-smoking.  I have no problems with that.  But, look at Connecticut.  They have casinos with completely different sections that accomodate both smokers and non-smokers.  That is a much better set-up than haphazardly putting a few smoking sections scattered about the casino floor.

I believe the voters said no smoke in them period because the employees are being hurt by it and most of the customers don't like it. Yet the casinos got that partially overridden because they just couldn't stand the thought of addicted smokers not coming through their doors to act out their other vices.
 
The city council voted that way, not the citizens or the casino employees.  And as a matter of fact, the MAJORITY of casino employees were against the partial ban.  Some of them are smokers themselves, some of them are non-smokers that don't mind working in the smoking sections, and some of them are non-smokers.. can't stand the smoke.. but realize that this issue could create job losses.  The city council acted on the minority of people who would not let the issue drop, and those same people gave a false sense of how many people really wanted this ban.  They claimed that nearly every employee wanted the ban, but that was certainly not the case. 
 
We have already had a decline in business from this point last year, and since I have been back to work, have heard a lot of chatter from regular players who said that if the casinos were to go completely smoke-free, they would play elsewhere.  My situation is a little different, however. All of the poker rooms in AC (except Bally's) are now completely smoke-free, so it doesn't really affect the poker business.  But the rest of the casino is directly affected. 
 
 
My point on your finace was that people who pick up on what illness does to loved ones surely would be affected enough to do what they can so as not to let it happen to them. But you're saying it doesn't matter. We're all gonna die, but all you and she are doing is giving yourselves a better chance of dying painful & humiliating deaths. I've seen it enough, and I have harsh words for anyone who smokes--especially those who manufacture ANY complaints whatsoever about what the civilized world responds to smokers with.
 
 
And the point I was trying to make is that we have TRIED to quit.  Quoting your words from your last post, "addicted smokers," is exactly the case.  We are addicted to cigarettes.  It's not as easy as just tossing them in the trash for us.  It is a proven fact that nicotine is just as addictive (if not more so) than heroin.  Do I regret smoking my 1st cigarette?  Absolutely!  Does my fiance regret it?  Absolutely!  I wouldn't have tried to quit 5 times if I didn't care.  I guess I need something to motivate me and give me more willpower.  It's mostly about habits with me.  I wake up, get a cup of coffee and have a cigarette.  I have a cigarette after every meal.  I have a cigarette during every break at work.  The list goes on..
 
We are planning on starting a family in a few years, and I know that will be enough to have us both stopped by then.  I would not start a family while still smoking...
 
It is fine for you to have harsh words for smokers, that is your right.  But understand that the majority of them will never be able to quit their habit.
 
Mike 
 
 

[babybubba]

njmike:  The issue of smoking being good for business pales in comparison to it being bad for health. In that respect smokers ARE criminals when they put their desires before the wishes of others who don't smoke and want no part of the stench. It is also criminal the way the casinos musceled in their 75%/25% crap when the city council voted 100%/0%.
 
I think the city council pretty much speaks for the people. When you're talking about job losses vs. a lifetime of misery, stench, decreased stamina, and ultimate excruciating early death, I believe casino employees would vote on the side of common sense. I've also read where they would be fired if the non-smokers refused to work smoking areas. Casino business will never decrease because of no smoking policies. The addiciton is way too strong, and the majority of casino customers are lower class folks who lean on vices like smoking, gambling, drinking and over-eating. 
 
It's not easy for me to comprehend someone who says "I've tried and just can't quit" something. I'm a discipline fanatic who believes in being in complete control of what I do. I'm also big into keeping fit and healthy. When I met my wife she smoked and as we drove out to Az. from Mass. I threw her cigarettes out the window. She wouldn't speak to me for 3 days, but ever since then she's thanked me for saving her from a lifetime of being a slave to cancer sticks. If you're planning on having children then there's plenty enough reason right there to quit right NOW! Anyone who says "I'll quit tomorrow" won't ever quit period. They have to say it's over right now for it to truly end.  Good luck. 

[rascal]

I don't like it to become a fight or an argument, but from a professional point of view I will tell you that I have never seen a single terminal cancer patient (who contracted via smoking) who did not deeply regret the decision to smoke. The arguments continue, but the science is overwhelming and beyond debate that exposure to second-hand smoke is just as deadly as actually smoking is. (Dana Reeve, widow of Christopher Reeve is an example of a non-smoker who contracted via second-hand smoke, fatally in her case). The goal of achieving "equal" smoking and non-smoking areas is not nearly as laudable as would be the goal of casinos showing some corporate and social responsibility by eliminating cigarette smoke period.

[Eduardo]

I have people in my family that smoke and I do not like smoking but I
know it is a big personal decision for them to be able to quit. I do
not dislike them for smoking but I do feel sorry because they do try to
quit and most have not yet.  I also do not like
being next to a smoker in public and like restaurants with no smoking
rules but I am okay to be around my family that smokes because it is
also important to spend time together.  i hope they all quit some day
but if they do not it is their decision.

njmike37, i am glad you are back and thank you for all that you share here!

[faygo]

 I was going to post my experience on this issue based on my recent trip to AC. However, I hesitate to do so , in fear of being labled "low class".

[njmike37]

Rob,
 
Casino business in AC has ALREADY decreased, with quite a few people planning on going to CT, DE and PA where they will be allowed to smoke.  The only way we wouldn't lose business is if all of the states around us were equal in their smoking policies at casinos/slot parlors.  If they all went non-smoking, then there would be no problem.  If NJ is the only one that they can't smoke at, then there's gonna be problems..
 
I understand why it is not easy to comprehend "I've tried to quit but can't."  If you've never had an addiction such as this, there's no way you COULD comprehend it. 
 
By the way, congrats on your wife quitting when she did, that truly is great!
 
Mike