ATLANTIC CITY — New Jersey's yearlong coronavirus-inspired ban on smoking in Atlantic City casinos will end Sunday, just in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that an order he signed ending a public health emergency contained a “sunset” provision winding down the smoking ban within 30 days, which is Sunday.

While acknowledging gamblers will be free to light up again starting Sunday, the governor indicated he would look favorably on a measure lawmakers are considering to permanently end smoking in New Jersey's casinos.

“I would be very constructive on that,” he said at a coronavirus briefing, stopping short of saying he would sign the legislation.

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The governor's remarks came two hours after dozens of casino workers and anti-smoking advocates rallied on the Atlantic City boardwalk to call for a permanent smoking ban.

Casinos are exempted from a state law banning most indoor smoking, while an Atlantic City law limits smoking to no more than 25% of the casino floor.

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Casino dealer Nicole Vitola speaks at a rally Wednesday, June 30, 2021 on the Atlantic City N.J., Boardwalk calling for a permanent ban on smoking in Atlantic City's nine casinos. The coronavirus-inspired temporary ban will expire on Sunday July 4. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
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New Jersey has even prohibited smoking on beaches and public parks, which was not lost on many of the rallying casino workers.

“How is it that you're not allowed to smoke on our beaches or our boardwalk, but you're allowed to smoke at my table where I can't walk away?” asked Nicole Vitola, a table games dealer at the Borgata. “All I want is the same right that every other worker in New Jersey receives.”

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Janine Gerety, left, and Cat Daidone, right, two former Atlantic City N.J. casino workers, hold signs during a demonstration on Atlantic City's Boardwalk on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in favor of making a ban on smoking in the city's casinos permanent. The pandemic-inspired ban is due to expire on Sunday July 4. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
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Janice Green, a dealer at the Tropicana, has worked in Atlantic City casinos for 40 years.

“Being in the business so long, I have lung disease,” she said. “I have asthma because of it. It's under control now, but if you bring smoking back, I'm going to be back on inhalers, and I don't want that.”

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Onjewel Smith of Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights speaks at a rally Wednesday, June 30, 2021 on the Atlantic City N.J., Boardwalk calling for a permanent ban on smoking in Atlantic City's nine casinos. The coronavirus-inspired temporary ban will expire on Sunday July 4. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
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Murphy ordered Atlantic City's casinos to close in March 2020 during the pandemic, and when they reopened 3 1/2 months later, smoking was banned as a public health measure.

“Why is this the only place in New Jersey you can smoke?" said Alvaro Dente, a casino floor supervisor at the Tropicana. “Bars and restaurants don't allow it. And the casinos are not losing money.”

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Casino workers participating in rally calling for a permanent ban on smoking in Atlantic City N.J.'s casinos wear T-shirts that read "Don't Bet On My Health" on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The pandemic-inspired ban is due to expire on Sunday July 4. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
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Onjewel Smith of the group Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights said the casino workers at greatest risk from smoking “are the mostly Black and brown women, front-line workers. They are the ones putting their lives at risk every day.”

The Casino Association of New Jersey, a trade group, opposes a permanent smoking ban, saying it could cause long-term financial implications.

“Going completely nonsmoking would place Atlantic City casinos at a competitive disadvantage with other nearby casinos that allow smoking,” the group said in a statement.

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Casino workers and smoking opponents march on the Atlantic City N.J., Boardwalk on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 calling for a permanent ban on smoking in Atlantic City's nine casinos. The coronavirus-inspired temporary ban will expire on Sunday July 4. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
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Such a ban would lead to fewer customers, fewer casino jobs and lower tax revenue, it said.

The casinos say they have spent considerable sums on cleaning and air filtration systems to protect customers.

And a considerable amount of gamblers say that smoking is an integral part of their gambling experience.

But nonsmoker Tom Cushion, who visits casinos once or twice a week, has loved the smoke-free atmosphere for the past year.

“You can feel the difference,” said Cushion, who lives in Galloway, just outside Atlantic City. “That stale, smoky smell — you don't have that anymore. It's time to go smoke-free.”

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