Local lawmakers in Atlantic City may have backed away from totally banning smoking in the city's casinos, but a group of state lawmakers is looking to do the job for them.

The Associated Press reported Feb. 21 that Sen. Joe Vitale, chair of the state Senate's Health Committee, said he will convene hearings on legislation to expand a state law banning indoor smoking to include gambling casinos. "It's time to save the lives of the thousands of casino workers who are at risk because of second hand smoke," said Vitale.

A state indoor-smoking ban passed last year exempted casinos, and a local ordinance passed in Atlantic City still allows smoking in some gaming areas.

"The facts are in on secondhand smoke, and they don't bode well for casino workers," Vitale said. "We need to show them we value their lives as much as the lives of all the other people who now enjoy smoke-free workplaces."

Vitale expressed doubt that the ban would hurt casino revenues. "Surely, the powerful and creative minds who built the colossal monuments of the gambling industry in Atlantic City can conjure up ways to keep luring people to casinos without killing the help," he said.