On Thursday, March 9, Atlantic City casino workers again traveled to Trenton to tell stories of exposure to secondhand smoke and urge lawmakers to pass legislation to end smoking inside casinos. Links to press coverage here.

In this joint hearing of the New Jersey Assembly Health and Assembly Tourism & Gaming Committees, casino workers came out to tell their stories. Tammy was one of them. She said, "My co-workers and I are not just numbers on a fact sheet, or nameless robots who deal out cards. We're a strong, robust workforce that was responsible for keeping Atlantic City's gaming industry alive during the pandemic. Allowing indoor smoking is an outdated practice... for workers like me it is a life or death fight."

84 NJ Legislators–70% of Legislature–Are Now Co-Sponsoring Bills to Eliminate Casino Smoking Loophole. Assemblyman Sauickie announced his support during the hearing, earning a standing ovation.

On March 1st, the Nashville ordinance was implemented with music and celebration at Jane's Hideaway. We were "Live in Nashville" to experience the clean indoor air and talk to happy customers breathing easy.

In a not-so-surprising move, Altria (the parent company of Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds) has purchased "Njoy" to expand their e-cigarette business. 

Thank you for participating and joining us in the fight for smokefree air! Because of you we were able to meet our Challenge Grant! ICYMI: Do read this message from Onjewel, our Southern States Strategist, and why not join ANR as a member if you haven't yet?

Cynthia's message sets the tone for ANR's work in 2023.

This Women’s History Month – we honor our Board Chair, Sharon Y. Eubanks, JD, for her work fighting Big Tobacco. From 2000 to 2005, Sharon served as lead counsel on behalf of the U.S. in the largest civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) enforcement action ever filed, United States v. Philip Morris USA, et al., the federal tobacco litigation.

Sharon documented her story as co-author of Bad Acts: The Racketeering Case Against the Tobacco Industry (limited copies available—email us for more info), an insider’s account of the litigation that led to the landmark decision. Sharon received numerous awards recognizing her work, including the U.S. Attorney General’s John Marshall Award for Outstanding Legal Achievement, as well as the Stanley D. Rose Memorial award, the Civil Division’s highest and most prestigious award.