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Bill Advances To Ban Smoking At NJ Public Beaches and Parks

Vaping advocates oppose including vapor products in the ban.

A bill passed by legislative committees in both houses of the New Jersey legislature would ban smoking at public beaches and parks.

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo says many towns in New Jersey have already enacted such a ban.

“To make it a uniform code or state law I think it’s time has come.  I certainly think that we know the ill effects of smoking, particularly second-hand smoke. The litter part is another problem.”

Mark Anton with the New Jersey Vapor Rights Coalition opposes including vaping products in the ban.

“Cigarette butts attribute for 38 percent of litter in the United States. Vaping does not contribute to this issue at all. And it doesn’t attribute or cause any second-hand issues like cigarette smoke would.”

The legislation allows towns and counties to designate 15 percent of their beaches as smoking areas. And the ban would not apply to parking lots near beaches and parks.

If the measure gets final legislative approval and is signed by the governor, violators would face a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1000 for subsequent violations.

It does not specify who would be responsible for enforcing the ban.