Atlantic City to get smoking ban amendment
The Atlantic City Council has amended its much publicised smoking ban in casinos to allow for some smoking on gaming floors, it has been revealed.
A quarter of the gaming floor will allow smoking under the new ordinances, provided the areas are enclosed and ventilated separately, the Press of Atlantic City has reported.
Employees and anti-smoking groups had been in favour of a ban, but the new legislation will mean that any employee working in the smoking area will do so on a voluntary basis.
Officials cited financial concerns as their main reason for making the adjustment.
“There should be some understanding that this is a $5.2 billion business. We need to preserve that and protect the employees at the same time,” said councillor John Schultz, speaking to the Press of Atlantic City.
The ordinance had been put on hold while Atlantic Municipal Utilities considered a similar policy, but logistical reasons meant that the two groups were unable to co-ordinate their decisions.