Virginia casino workers in the recently liberalized commercial gaming market have joined a nationwide group of gaming industry employees who are fighting to end indoor smoking.
CEASE, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, was founded in Atlantic City during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grassroots coalition was formed after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) ended his emergency health order in July 2021 that had temporarily banned casino smoking.
New Jersey’s 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act prohibits indoor tobacco smoking in most public places, but the law provides a caveat for Atlantic City casinos that allows them to designate up to 25% of their floor space for cigarette smoking.
CEASE has expanded its reach with several state chapters, with the latest being in Virginia where commercial casinos only opened last year. The commonwealth today is home to three casinos, including the permanent Rivers Casino Portsmouth and two temporary casinos, Hard Rock Bristol and Caesars Danville.
CEASE, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects, was founded in Atlantic City during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grassroots coalition was formed after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) ended his emergency health order in July 2021 that had temporarily banned casino smoking.
New Jersey’s 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act prohibits indoor tobacco smoking in most public places, but the law provides a caveat for Atlantic City casinos that allows them to designate up to 25% of their floor space for cigarette smoking.
CEASE has expanded its reach with several state chapters, with the latest being in Virginia where commercial casinos only opened last year. The commonwealth today is home to three casinos, including the permanent Rivers Casino Portsmouth and two temporary casinos, Hard Rock Bristol and Caesars Danville.
