State should protect health in the workplace

During this season of thanksgiving, I am grateful I live and work in a state that protects my health in the workplace. But surprisingly, this is not the case for all New Jersey workers. Atlantic City's City Council recently revoked their decision to restrict smoking in casinos, forcing casino workers to continue to risk their health every day while earning a living.

The dangers of secondhand smoke are clear. Tobacco smoke is directly linked to nearly 1,000 U.S. deaths each day, with an estimated 37,000 to 40,000 deaths nationwide each year from heart and blood vessel disease caused by secondhand smoke. The American Heart Association strongly supports the rights of all individuals to work in a safe and healthy environment free from the dangers of secondhand smoke. We cannot continue to allow casino workers to face these dangers and risk their lives, while every other New Jersey worker is protected from secondhand smoke in the workplace.

Casino workers are not alone in supporting smoke-free gaming floors. The New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey shows that 93 percent of New Jersey adults support restricting smoking in casinos, including three out of four smokers.

Today, I along with many New Jerseyans will enter my workplace, take a deep breath, and be thankful that I do not have to risk my life to work in New Jersey. I hope that in the very near future I will be able to thank my elected officials for their work to protect Atlantic City's casino workers in the same way!

John T. Gribbin

President and CEO CentraState Healthcare System

American Heart Association Central/Southern New Jersey

Regional Board member

Robbinsville