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Smoking critic loses casino job

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey – As reported by the Press of Atlantic City: "A vocal critic of casino smoking was laid off Sunday from his position as a tables-games supervisor, a move the Somers Point man calls retaliatory.

"Vincent Rennich was called into a manager's office Sunday morning and told that after 26 years of service at Tropicana Casino and Resort, he was no longer needed.

"Rennich, who has lung cancer that he attributes to years of inhaling secondhand smoke on the gaming floor, wasn't the only one laid off Sunday and Monday morning as the Tropicana looks to trim its expenses. But the 48-year-old argued the casino used the cutbacks as an excuse to get rid of a thorn in its side.

"…Last summer, Rennich filed suit against then-Tropicana parent Aztar Corp. for failing to protect him — and other employees — from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Diagnosed with cancer in 2005, Rennich had a portion of his lung removed and says doctors tell him the cancer could return. He says he's never smoked in his life.

"Columbia Sussex Corp. inherited Rennich's suit when it completed a buyout of Aztar earlier this year.

"…The casino has been shedding employees lately, laying off upward of 300 in the weeks before the January takeover by Columbia. Another 125 or so were shown the door that month.

"…[Rennich] has been very active in the anti-smoking crusade, pushing the industry and legislators to adopt clean-air regulations for the 40,000-plus casino workers in Atlantic City…"

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