TRENTON, N.J., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- New Jersey is about to become the 11th U.S. state to ban smoking in public places with the exception of a dozen Atlantic City, N.J., casinos, a report said.
The New Jersey Assembly, on a 64-12 vote with two abstentions, Monday approved the anti-smoking law that acting Gov. Richard Cody saved from efforts to kill it, The New York Times reported.
Cody said he will sign the public place smoking ban, which the New Jersey Senate approved last month, before he leaves office next week.
"The way to do things in life is with the personal touch," Cody told the newspaper of a weekend telephone lobbying effort that included the casino exemption.
Cody said the law would be a hallmark of his 17 months in office.
Opponents argued against exempting 12 Atlantic City casinos and the loss of $540 million in bar and restaurant cigarette-tax revenue.
Also Monday, the Assembly approved raising the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 19 years.
