Big Tobacco has ties to leader of New Jersey Assembly smoking debate
New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Lew Greenwald (D-Burlington) has received political funding from big tobacco companies, including Philip Morris USA/Altria and the American Cigar Association. That's according to campaign finance records obtained by The Star.
Greenwald has served in Trenton since 1996 and served as Assembly majority leader for more than a decade. Greenwald, one of New Jersey's most powerful lawmakers, recently backed the Atlantic City casino industry's consideration of making nine of its casinos completely smoke-free.
New reports suggest Greenwald has financial incentives to support casinos that want to continue allowing indoor smoking in designated areas. Political finance records show Greenwald received more than $30,000 from groups tied to Big Tobacco.
Greenwald responded to the Star's report by saying he was no friend of Big Tobacco and that if he could, he would "tax cigarettes to make them disappear." He said his father died from a lifelong smoker.
Still, he accepted money from Big Tobacco and used it to fuel his political campaign. He added that his donors cannot determine his policy positions, but said it was important to take contributions from all sides into account in policy discussions.
Greenwald believes there may be more appropriate solutions to the casino smoking problem, such as enclosed smoking rooms that can run slot machines. In July, Greenwald was named Legislator of the Year by the New Jersey Hospital Association.
Organization demands return of tobacco funds
CEASE (Casino Employees Against the Effects of Smoking) is leading a grassroots effort to close the smoking gap in casinos created by the state’s 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act. CEASE announced last week its intention to form a political action committee to fund candidates committed to providing them with toxic smoke-free indoor workplaces.
CEASE said Monday night that Greenwald should return more than $30,000 he received from Philip Morris USA/Altria and other tobacco lobbyists.
For months, Lou Greenwald has been a leading advocate for the creation of Philip Morris Smoking Rooms to ensure that workers like us must continue to risk their lives every day. Now we know at least one reason why - he accepted campaign donations from them," said Pete Naccarelli, co-founder of CEASE in Atlantic City and table game retailer. "The majority leader should stop putting casinos And Big Tobacco puts the interests of workers and ordinary people first and returns the money immediately.
“Maybe he said some nice things about taking care of our workers. But that’s cheap when he parrots industry talking points and undermines life-saving laws after taking their money. It’s time to put our Life comes first,” Nacarelli added.
Greenwald said he fears a blanket smoking ban would "destroy casino revenue" and lead to layoffs across the industry. Casino executives agree.
Mark Giannantonio, president of the resort and chairman of the New Jersey Casino Association, said the smoking ban will have a "significant negative impact" on Atlantic City and its main economic engine.
“We look forward to continuing this conversation as we move forward and finding a compromise that addresses the concerns of our employees without jeopardizing the jobs and benefits of some of our most vulnerable citizens,” Giannitonio said. “The casino industry will continue to work with stakeholders to reach compromises that support improvements to the city, the tourism and gaming industries, and the collective interests of Atlantic City’s entire workforce.”
Political activities are prohibited in casinos
New Jersey law prohibits casinos from making direct political contributions. But lobbyists and attorneys working with the nine resorts can donate to lawmakers who support political issues affecting Atlantic City.
Greenwald said he has "no ties" to the casino industry. He believes any changes to casino smoking should protect not only the health of casino employees but also their jobs. This really is the perfect time to sit in the room and listen to each other," Greenwald said of the casino smoking debate expected to resume next year in the capital, Trenton.
Sen. Mike Testa (R-Cumberland) agreed.
"I want to keep the health of our employees and the health of our guests in mind. But the situation in Atlantic City is pretty dire. I don't want this to be the nail in the coffin of the casino industry."
Former New Jersey senator and current state Sen. Richard Cody (D-Essex), who signed the Smoke-Free Air Act into law in 2006, said "the bad guys won."
"We condemn people dying from smoke inhalation. It's a horrible, horrible death. I know. I'm a funeral director," Cody said.
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Source: www.casino.org
