Casino Smoking Bill Vote Delayed

A bill to end smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos that appeared headed for its first vote Thursday was delayed yet again when Democratic lawmakers said they did not have enough votes to advance it. The Press of Atlantic City reports they also said they would listen to alternatives proposed by the casino industry including enclosed smoking rooms in which no employee would be forced to work. That infuriated over 100 casino workers who packed a hearing room in the state Capitol, convinced that after nearly three years, their state representatives were ready to start the smoking ban on its way to approval.