New Report Ignores the Connection Between Secondhand Smoke and Problem Gambling
Trenton, NJ — Despite the mission of New Jersey’s Responsible Gaming Task Force to address problem gambling and promote responsible gaming practices, its latest report did not mention the importance of eliminating indoor smoking in combatting gambling addiction.
In his announcement of the report, Governor Phil Murphy said that “New Jersey has long been a leader in the gaming industry, and with that leadership comes the responsibility to ensure the well-being of our residents.” But the governor cannot fully demonstrate his commitment to ensuring the well-being of his constituents while the casino smoking loophole remains open.
“Governor Murphy and the casino industry are aware of the connection between smoking and problem gambling,” said Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR). “Taking breaks is a central tenet of combatting gambling addiction. Casinos know that some patrons will choose to cut their losses during their smoke breaks and walk away from the casino entirely. But despite a stated commitment to responsible gaming, New Jersey casinos and lawmakers have done nothing to eliminate indoor smoking and create the opportunity for breaks. Governor Murphy can send an unequivocal message to patrons and workers that he cares about their health and wellbeing by pushing for a bill to get smoking out of casinos.”
In a letter to New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman in late 2024, ANR detailed how eliminating smoking in casinos can foster healthier environments and support recovery efforts for individuals struggling with gambling addiction. The letter highlights key findings from industry experts that demonstrate the comorbidity of gambling and smoking addictions. Studies have shown that “41–60% of individuals who struggle with problem gambling also have a tobacco use disorder, and untreated daily smoking may undermine the treatment of problem gambling given the strong associations between the two behaviors,” the letter states.
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Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for over 45 years, since 1976, to protect everyone’s right to breathe nontoxic air in workplaces and public places, from offices and airplanes to restaurants, bars, and casinos. ANR has continuously shined a light on the tobacco industry’s interference with sound and life-saving public health measures and successfully protected 61% of the population with local or statewide smokefree workplace, restaurant, and bar laws. ANR aims to close gaps in smokefree protections for workers in all workplaces, including bars, music venues, casinos, and hotels. For more information, please visit https://nonsmokersrights.org and https://smokefreecasinos.org.
