New State Motto

Smoking is bad for you in so many ways. Other than lung cancer, COPD, and other deadly diseases, smokers are subject to bad breath and yellow teeth. Now that smoking is banned in almost all workplaces, workers have to take their “smoke break” outdoors which is no fun in the winter. “Most of this coughing and hacking is not from that Marlboro Red that I just smoked, but from shivering in the 20 degree wind chill outside.”

One workplace where smoking is still allowed is your neighborhood casino. 25% of the floor area at Atlantic City casinos is set aside for smokers. Casino employees are not happy about it. “We cannot continue to choose between our health and a paycheck.” A bill in the NJ Legislature would make casinos smoke-free.

The casinos are fighting the bill. “Banning smoking would cost up to 2,500 jobs and 11% of our revenue. Smokers are about 20% of our clientele but account for more than 30% of our winnings!” Smokers are definitely a “live for today and damn the consequences” bunch.

The NJ casino’s killer argument is, “If we ban smoking, those gamblers will just go to Pennsylvania.” Nothing will spring NJ legislators into action more quickly than the threat of losing tax revenue to PA.

It is about time for a new motto for our beloved state. Billboards at the state line currently read, “You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania”. Those at the Delaware River could read, “Smoke Your Lungs Out at Our Slot Machines. Welcome Jersey Gamblers.”

Another could read, “Minimum Wage Still $7.25 Here. Sweatshops Welcome.”

The Keystone State has a lot to be proud of.

By Ed Dufton