Report: Atlantic City Casinos Failing To Enforce Smoking Ban
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Atlantic City and casino officials are mostly failing to enforce the measure that bans smoking on most areas of casino floors, according to a published report.
After nearly banning smoking altogether at casinos, the city imposed the partial ban in 2007. The change of heart came when the economy crashed and casinos feared a complete smoking ban would cost them more customers.
As a compromise, smoking was banned from 75 percent of casino floors. And casinos were allowed to construct enclosed smoking lounges on the remaining floor area.
But The Press of Atlantic City, which reviewed city records and recently observed floor activity in all 11 casinos, found enforcement of the smoking ban has been virtually nonexistent.
City health officials say limited resources have hampered efforts to enforce the ban.
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