Rally to end casino smoking in Atlantic City targets office of state senator drafting compromise bill

Thursday, January 18, 2024 2:53 PM
Photo: Shutterstock
  • Michelle Brunetti Post, The Press of Atlantic City

Saying he still supports their efforts to end indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos, state Sen. Vince Polistina invited activists to rally inside his office instead of outside in frigid temperatures Wednesday.

Members of a local United Auto Workers union representing casino dealers and the group Casino Employees Against Smoking’s Effects were there to tell Polistina how disappointed they were that he is drafting a compromise bill rather than continuing to push for passage of a blanket smoking ban.

“You want to build smoking rooms to be staffed by volunteers,” said Pete Naccarelli, a dealer of 27 years… “We are going to be ‘voluntold’ to go in.”