New Jersey beach smoking ban in place for start of summer
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Smoking and vaping will be banned on nearly every public beach in the state of New Jersey this summer under tougher new restrictions.
Nonsmokers are rejoicing over the ban, which also applies to public parks. But some smokers are feeling discriminated against by the law, which took effect in January.
Fines would start at 250 U.S. dollars for a first offense and go up to 1,000 U.S. dollars for a third offense.
At least 20 Jersey shore towns had already enacted their own smoking bans before the statewide law took effect. Nationwide, more than 300 coastal communities have banned smoking on their beaches. But bans as broad as New Jersey's are rare.
A "no smoking" sign in Santa Barbara, California, U.S. /VCG Photo

A "no smoking" sign in Santa Barbara, California, U.S. /VCG Photo

New Jersey had tried for years to enact a statewide beach smoking ban, only to see the measure die in the legislature or be vetoed by a governor. It passed last year and was signed into law in July by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who cited health considerations, as well as a desire to keep beaches and parks cleaner.
The Clean Ocean Action environmental group counted more than 22,000 cigarette butts its volunteers picked up from New Jersey beaches during spring and fall cleanups last year.
Puerto Rico bans smoking on its beaches, and the state of Maine bans it at beaches in state parks. California has tried several times to pass a smoking ban at state beaches, but a measure has yet to be signed into law, according to Bronson Frick, associate director of the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation.
"This has tended to be a more localized solution, but we fully expect there will be more movement toward statewide bans," he said.
Lumiere beach, the first no smoking beach in France. /VCG Photo

Lumiere beach, the first no smoking beach in France. /VCG Photo

The law does not specify who is to enforce the ban, whether it's lifeguards, special police officers, regular police officers, beach badge checkers or someone else entirely. In signing the bill last year, Murphy said he did not want to distract lifeguards from their vigilance, but left it up to local communities to work out the specifics of enforcement.
Several shore towns plan to use special police officers to enforce the ban. Belmar has 20 to 30 such officers each summer who patrol the boardwalk and the beach, said Butch Burdge, a beachfront staff member.
"People who are smoking will say, 'Oh, we didn't know,' even though we have signs," he said. "But generally they're cooperative when asked to put out their cigarette."
(Cover image via VCG)
Source(s): AP