Americans for Nonsmokers Rights is taking its mission to the highway – literally.
The nonsmoking advocacy group recently purchased a billboard on the Atlantic City Expressway, the main artery into the seaside resort, to send a message to state legislators.
“Thank you South Jersey legislators who support smokefree casinos,” the billboard reads, followed by a message to New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Speaker Craig Coughlin: “Let’s vote on it.”
“Thousands of Atlantic City casino workers deserve a vote now to protect their health and they are waiting for Senate President Scutari and Speaker Coughlin to hold that vote as soon as possible,” said ANR CEO and President Cynthia Hallett in a statement. “Not only are a bipartisan majority of New Jersey lawmakers cosponsoring these bills, we know that the legislation would pass easily if a vote were held today. Hundreds of casino workers and supporters packed committee rooms over the last two months fighting for their right to a smokefree workplace.
Hearings earlier this year at the capitol in Trenton were marked by casino employees expressing their support for banning smoking in casinos. The posting of the billboard coincides with the East Coast Gaming Congress this week in Atlantic City.
According to the ANR, anti-smoking legislation has support from organizations including the National Council on Problem Gambling, UFCW Local 152, the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The ANR also stated that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has said he will sign nonsmoking legislation if it reaches his desk.
