Government has a long conflicted record on tobacco use. The harms of smoking have been well-known since the 1960s. Instead of banning cigarettes, though, government greatly increases taxes on them, delivering state and federal revenue windfalls from addicted smokers.
Government has kept the sale and use of tobacco legal, while relentlessly hounding people who smoke cigarettes, pipes or cigars. Smoking was banned from government properties and public places such as restaurants and bars. An exception was made in New Jersey and other states for legal gambling establishments, making casinos one of the few public places smokers could light up.
For 15 years, many casino workers and legislators have urged that the gambling exemption be repealed, making casinos smoke-free.
