The Nov. 2 election in New Jersey will produce an Atlantic City-area state Senate race winner who backs an end to smoking in the city’s nine casinos, regardless of whom local residents choose. That fact, along with the support of Gov. Phil Murphy for the ban, could help prod lawmakers in the so-called “lame-duck session” toward seeking action in spite of the resistance of Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

Near the end of a one-hour Zoom call debate on Sunday night, the topic produced unequivocal responses. Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo, an Atlantic County Assembly Democrat who is running for state Senate, was first to answer.