Key points:
- The ALA is requesting New Jersey lawmakers amend the state’s smoke-free legislation to include casinos and raise the cigarette tax on other tobacco products
- In the 2025 report, New Jersey received F’s in funding for state tobacco prevention programs and the level of state tobacco taxes
The American Lung Association (ALA) has filed its 2025 State of Tobacco Control report and is requesting that New Jersey lawmakers focus on amending the state’s comprehensive smoke-free law.
The ALA believes changes such as including casinos within the law, raising the cigarette tax on other tobacco products, allocating more funding to tobacco control efforts and prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products are all required in New Jersey.
Michael Seilback, part of the AVP Nationwide Advocacy team at the ALA, spoke on the concerns raised by the Association, having said, “Here in New Jersey, we are seeing tobacco industry lobbyists working to prevent smokefree casinos from becoming a reality.
“The tobacco industry is also introducing new products that appeal to youth like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers.”
Good to know: Legislators in the state of New Jersey began discussing the possibility of decriminalizing underage gambling on December 17
The State of Tobacco Control report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends tobacco control laws. As part of the 2025 report, New Jersey received F’s in both funding for state tobacco prevention programs and the level of state tobacco taxes.
During September 2024, New Jersey Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels issued a ruling that continued to allow smoking in Atlantic City casinos after a lawsuit filed by The United Auto Workers, a union that represents Bally’s Tropicana and Caesars casino dealers.
Indoor smoking has been banned in New Jersey since 2006, but the laws currently make room for smoking in casinos and in simulcasting facilities.
