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Bill > A2936


NJ A2936

NJ A2936
Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities.


summary

Introduced
02/16/2016
In Committee
02/16/2016
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2018

Introduced Session

2016-2017 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill amends the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act," P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-55 et seq.), to prohibit smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Current law prohibits smoking in most indoor public places and workplaces, with certain exceptions, including indoor public places and workplaces which are within the perimeter of casinos and casino simulcasting facilities and accessible to the public for wagering. This bill would eliminate these exceptions from the smoking ban. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that casino workers are at greater risk for lung and heart disease because of secondhand smoke, and a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that the air in casinos can have up to 50 times more cancer-causing particles than the air on rush-hour highways. This bill would protect all workers in New Jersey from the hazards of second hand smoke by requiring that casinos and casino simulcasting facilities be smoke-free workplaces.

AI Summary

This bill amends the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to eliminate the exemption that allows smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. The current law prohibits smoking in most indoor public places and workplaces, but made an exception for these casino-related facilities. This bill would remove that exception, making casinos and casino simulcasting facilities smoke-free workplaces and protecting workers from the hazards of secondhand smoke, which studies have shown to be a significant concern in these environments.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee (on 02/16/2016)

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