Smoking Ban Coming to Atlantic City Casinos
Monday January 1, 2007
The City Council in New Jersey's gambling mecca put off a vote Friday on banning smoking in casinos to give the nightspots more time to get ready. A new, amended proposal is expected to pass in a Jan. 24 vote. It would take effect April 15; the previous measure would have taken effect in a month.
The ordinance would make Atlantic City the biggest gambling spot in the nation to bar smoking. Las Vegas, Biloxi, Miss., and most Indian casinos allow smoking. A year ago, New Jersey banned smoking in most indoor public places, including bars and restaurants, but exempted the powerful casino industry. Anti-smoking groups and casino workers welcomed the ban, but the casino industry warned of legal action.