Smoke ban supporters rally to keep it
By REGINA SCHAFFER Staff Writer, 609-272-7211
Published: Thursday, October 16, 2008
ATLANTIC CITY - Don't look at it as a smoking ban. Look at it as a "smoking relocation."That's the way Gary Noa, a dealer at Trump Plaza Casino Resort, sees the new smoking restrictions that became law Wednesday in Atlantic City's 11 casinos. If you want to light up, Noa said, just head to another location - outdoors, or an available smoking lounge."It's not a ban ... the gamblers can go over to these lounges," Noa said. "At Trump Plaza, we have beautiful lounges."Some may take issue with that idea, but at a casino workers rally Wednesday afternoon at the United Auto Workers Union Hall on Albany Avenue, Noa's words were met with cheers."It was one of the greatest nights," Noa said, speaking of the early hours when the smoking ban went into effect. "I was able to go to work and say, 'Boy, I can breathe fresh air.'"
The small rally brought together representatives from the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the New Jersey Group Against Smoking Pollution, or GASP, and a handful of casino employees who united to address the media about the benefits of a complete smoking ban in casinos. The goal, organizers said, is to make the temporary, two-week ban a permanent one."Smoke-free gaming is now a full-fledged reality," said Karen Blumenfeld, executive director of N.J. GASP. "And now is your time. This is not temporary. This will be permanent. You have so much support behind you.""I truly believe that when the powers-that-be see how successful smoke-free gaming is, there will be no turning back," Blumenfeld said.Kim Hesse, a dealer at Caesars Atlantic City, was working at a craps table at midnight Wednesday, just as the transition to a smoke-free gaming floor was happening."Out of the 10 people at my table, two were smoking," Hesse said. "They were asked nicely to put out their cigarettes. No one complained. Nothing. It was flawless."City Councilman Gene Robinson promised the group that he would continue to work to change the minds of fellow council members. A final vote to delay the full smoking ban is expected to pass 5-4.He led the crowd in a series of chants of "UAW! UAW!""Forgive me, I'm on fire!" Robinson told the crowd.Councilman Bruce Ward, who was not present at the rally, said in a statement that he "remains firm" in his position supporting a full smoking ban and he "will not stop until we have what we're looking for."E-mail Regina Schaffer:RSchaffer@pressofac.com
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