Though smoking has been banned inside of most public buildings in New Jersey for 16 years, Atlantic City casinos remain an exception. The gambling halls can still allow patrons to light up in designated sections.

But the latest effort to close that loophole and bar smoking completely inside casinos has been gaining steam in the state Legislature.

Two months after the bill stalled in the last legislative session, 15 more members of the state Assembly – both Democrats and Republicans – signed on as sponsors this past week.

In all, there are now 35 members of the Assembly and state Senate sponsoring the measure (S264) – including all three lawmakers representing Atlantic City in the Statehouse, a trio of Republicans who recently took office.