If the state Legislature passes a bill to ban smoking permanently in Atlantic City’s casinos, it will have Gov. Phil Murphy’s seal of approval.

“You should assume that I will sign it,” Murphy said during an interview with News 12 on Tuesday when asked about permanently banning smoking in casinos.

Casinos in the resort had been operating smoke-free since last year when a temporary ban was initiated by Murphy shortly after the casinos reopened in July 2020 following COVID-19 related closures. That state-ordered ban was lifted July 4 this year.

Bob Zlotnick, co-founder of Smoke Free AC, said the organization is cautiously optimistic about Murphy’s stance.