Atlantic City Casino Workers File Lawsuit to Ban Smoking Citing Toxic Effects of ‘Poisonous’ Atmosphere

A group of casino workers in New Jersey asked a judge on Monday to ban smoking in their workplace, citing the toxic effects of working in a “poisonous” atmosphere, while the state argued such a move could jeopardize a half-billion-dollar pot of money for senior citizens and the disabled. Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels, who listened as both sides presented their case, did not issue a ruling but said he would make a decision “as soon as possible.” Banning smoking in Atlantic City’s nine casinos could be an enormous hit to the city’s gambling industry, which relies on money won from in-person gamblers and whose business has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels....