summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill amends the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act" (act) with respect to smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Under the bill, the act's prohibition on smoking is not to apply to the area within the perimeter of any casino simulcasting facility approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1992, c.19 (C.5:12-194) and any casino approved by the Casino Control Commission pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-6), provided that: (1) smoking is to be permitted in not more than 25 percent of the area of any casino floor and casino simulcasting facility; (2) smoking is to only be permitted in areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility designated by signage by the operators for smoking; (3) smoking is to only be permitted under the following circumstances: in unenclosed interior designated smoking areas which contain slot machines or other electronic games, but is not to include areas of the casino floor and casino simulcasting facility that are fifteen feet or less from any casino pits offering table games with live dealers; and in enclosed interior designated smoking areas equipped with a ventilation system that is separately exhausted from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, so that air from the smoking area is not recirculated or backstreamed into interior areas that are not interior designated smoking areas; (4) all enclosed interior designated smoking areas are to be separated from other interior areas of the casino, casino simulcasting facility, and hotel facility, as applicable, by solid walls or windows, a ceiling, and a solid door; and (5) no stationary employee is to be assigned to work in an enclosed interior designated smoking area unless the employee voluntarily chooses to work in the designated enclosed interior smoking area.
AI Summary
This bill amends the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to allow smoking in designated areas of casinos and casino simulcasting facilities, which are venues approved by the Casino Control Commission for gambling and betting on horse races, respectively. Specifically, smoking will be permitted in no more than 25% of the casino floor and simulcasting facility area, and only in areas clearly marked for smoking by the operators. These designated smoking areas can be unenclosed, but must be located away from table games with live dealers, or enclosed with a separate ventilation system that prevents air from being recirculated to non-smoking areas. Enclosed smoking areas must be fully separated by solid walls, windows, a ceiling, and a door. Importantly, no employee will be permanently assigned to work in an enclosed smoking area unless they voluntarily choose to do so. This change will take effect 18 months after the bill is enacted.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (7)
John Burzichelli (D)*,
Mike Testa (R)*,
Jim Beach (D),
Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D),
Gordon Johnson (D),
Holly Schepisi (R),
Bob Singer (R),
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S698 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/698_I1.HTM |
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