Study Blasts Quality of New Jersey Casinos, Ties It to Smoking
Summary
A recent NJ.com air-quality study, highlighted by Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, finds hazardous indoor air on Atlantic City casino floors linked to second-hand smoke. The NGO says casino claims about advanced filtration are overstated and cannot eliminate the harms from tobacco smoke. An NYU Grossman School of Medicine pulmonary toxicology expert, Terry Gordon, confirmed that exposure levels will leave measurable biomarkers in people exposed, raising particular concern for vulnerable patrons and staff.
Key Points
- NJ.com measured poor air quality on Atlantic City casino gaming floors, attributing it to second-hand smoke.
- Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights argue HVAC systems cannot fully remove risks from indoor smoking.
- Expert Terry Gordon warned of nicotine and carbon monoxide exposure with detectable biomarkers in those exposed.
- There have been repeated calls to ban smoking on casino floors; efforts have largely stalled despite some high-level political support.
- Casinos claim a smokefree policy would hurt revenue post-pandemic, but critics say there’s no credible evidence to back that up and point to successful smokefree examples nearby.
Content summary
The article summarises the NJ.com study and the response from a public-health NGO. It emphasises that mechanical filtration can’t fully address second-hand smoke risks, quotes a medical expert on the likely physiological impacts, and outlines the ongoing policy debate between public-health advocates and casino operators concerned about revenue.
Context and Relevance
This matters for public health, workplace safety and regulatory policy. New Jersey continues to allow indoor smoking on casino floors, creating a legislative loophole that sets casinos apart from many other workplaces and entertainment venues. The piece links into wider trends: increasing pressure for smokefree environments, scrutiny of employer duty of care for workers, and examples of nearby smokefree casinos that challenge industry claims about financial harm.
Author style
Punchy: the writer cuts straight to the public-health sting — casinos advertise clean air but tests tell a different story. If you care about worker safety or local regulation, this is worth digging into.
Why should I read this?
Quick take: if you visit or work in Atlantic City casinos (or follow gambling industry policy), this short read saves you time by pulling together a fresh air-quality study, an NGO’s rebuttal of industry claims, and a medical expert’s blunt warning. It explains why ‘advanced filtration’ isn’t the same as being smokefree — and why that still matters.