Faced with public pressure and a mandate from Atlantic City's governing body, Atlantic City's casinos are finally taking the steps needed to protect workers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. We're glad to see it happening in such a way that looks to give smokers a way to partake of their legal habit while protecting workers and other casino patrons.
Seven of Atlantic City's 11 casinos have plans to go completely smoke-free on the casino floor. They plan to follow a model first announced by the Tropicana to create small, enclosed smoking lounges around the casino. These lounges wouldn't have gambling tables inside, but would be very close to the slots and tables.
Four other casinos -- Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Trump Marina Hotel, Resorts Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort -- will have smoking lounges that have gambling inside, although Resorts and the Hilton will also have smoking lounges that don't have gambling inside.
Just a few years ago, it seemed inconceivable that Atlantic City gamblers wouldn't be able to sit at a blackjack table or in front of a slot machine and not smoke. Times certainly have changed, as the health risks associated with secondhand smoke, including cancer and heart disease, have been well documented.
The casinos, which certainly draw a lot of business from smokers, are taking a huge step in the right direction by creating enclosed smoking lounges, that will protect casino workers and nonsmoking patrons while giving smokers a convenient place to
| 
