there's yet another compromise being proposed in the push to ban smoking on Atlantic City's casino floors this one from South Jersey Senator John berselli looks to appease the casino industry and other groups against an allout ban by allowing smoking to continue with some restrictions it's an alternative to the Litany of options that have already been presented but a senior correspondent Brenda Flanigan reports the bill is Dead on Arrival for one of the largest unions presenting Casino workers workers pushing for smokefree casinos thought they'd finally hit the jackpot last month when New Jersey senate health committee approved a complete ban that would force Atlantic City's nine casinos to Snuff out smoking on all gaming floors but now there's competition from a so-called compromise bill it had still let gamblers light up but in restricted areas smoking opponents are certainly lit I don't know if the casino executives are aware of this but smoke goes where it wants it's just not acceptable but for some reason in the state of New Jersey you put on a dealer's uniform it's just totally fine to get secondhand smoke blown your face Dan Vincent with the United Auto Workers which represents Casino dealers and slot tech at B Tropicana and Caesars all Atlantic City casinos currently permit smoking on 25% of the gaming floor this new bill continues that 25% limit and allows smoking at slot machine located at least 15 ft away from live dealers it also creates enclosed smoking rooms where workers could opt out to avoid smoke let's build compromise on it let's get you know everybody to the point where there's no more smoking at tables dealers don't have to deal with it um but not have the huge impact that would potentially cost you know upwards of the loss of 3,000 jobs Senate Republican Vince Palestina started drafting a compromise bill but dropped it after UAW protesters showed up at his office near Atlantic City Gloucester County Democrat John bachal is now sponsoring the measure why so everyone's affected by the health of this industry which serves not only this region of the state but the entire State because Casino industry and what it what what it what it uh sends off in contributions to run other programs is significant he predicts a total Casino smoking ban will struggle to pass the full Senate and even though surveys show casinos and other states have banned smoking and still continue to thrive Business Leaders site industry warnings that a complete smoking ban could steer Atlantic City customers to gamble in Pennsylvania causing thousands of layoffs back in Jersey so when we talk about economic impact the closest Cino to South Jersey residents is 50% smoking which is already more than Atlantic City currently has which is why the conversation about economic impact is very different than it was even five years ago so this is about business preservation job preservation and moving incrementally to work work environment that is going to be better the casino association's on board stating the industry is grateful to the bill sponsors for introducing this legislation and we look forward to finding a meaningful compromise that will prioritize public health and economic stability while protecting jobs but Senator Joe Vitali who sponsored the total smoking ban bill is refusing to post the compromise measure for discussion in his committee the casino industry's done a good job at inventing an argument to deceive lawmakers Vitali said there are thousands who don't come to Atlantic City to gamble because of the smoking business would likely increase if they ban smoking allog together Vali expects a full Senate vote soon Vincent says the UAW will only back a full ban this is our people's lives and it ain't going away I'm Brenda Flanagan NJ Spotlight News