Lawmakers want to snuff out smoking in N.J. parks

[onehandle]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

TRENTON - An Assembly committee advanced legislation Thursday that would make New Jersey the first state to ban smoking in all public parks and beaches. About one-third of New Jersey municipalities have some outdoor public bans in place, supporters said.

"When you look at our public beaches and our public parks, we certainly do not want people to experience secondhand smoke. We certainly don't want to increase the litter of cigarette butts," said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D., Bergen), who sponsored the bill. "This enhances our beaches in New Jersey, and I think it promotes more tourism," she said.

The ban would extend to boardwalks, though smokers could light up in nearby parking lots. Huttle said the bill does not call for designated smoking areas on the beach. It also applies to state parks and forests. Violators would be subject to fines laid out in the Smoke Free Air Act of 2006 that banned smoking in indoor workplaces and public places: up to $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 subsequently.

In 2010, New Jersey became the first state to extend that ban to electronic cigarette devices, commonly known as e-cigarettes. In South Jersey, Burlington County prohibited smoking in all parks last May. Camden County did the same in 2012.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20140221_Lawmakers_want_to_snuff_out_smoking_in_N_J__parks__beaches.html

[pnwmom]

1. Cigarette butts in the sand were an unpleasant feature of walking in bare feet on NJ beaches.

I hope this gets passed.

[passiveporcupine]

2. I was thinking the same thing

Then I thought...if man were meant to smoke, why didn't he come with an orifice designed just for disposing of the butts?

They not only litter up everthing, but they also start deadly fires. At least cans have a deposit on them so someone is encouraged to pick them up. I know...how about we add a deposit cost for every ciggy? Say 5 cents a cig? That would give homeless people another way to make money, and help keep beaches and parks and roadways clean.

[theHandpuppet]

3. I smoke and would support this bill

Too many smokers about who for some reason will not be considerate of others. Nothing I hate more than a landscape littered with cigarette butts. Wish beer drinkers would be more considerate too. They throw bottles and cans wherever they like. All it takes is some consideration for the next person, eh?

[awoke_in_2003]

4. Me too...

and I especially hate smokers who throw their butts on the ground. I always "field dress" my smokes- meaning I squeeze the cherry (ember) out and pocket the butt until I can find an appropriate place for it.

[alp227]

5. K&R for no more smoke being blown in my face in the park! nt