(Image source from: thethaiger.com)
New Jersey lawmakers gear up to ban smoking at public beaches of New Jersey.
A state Senate committee introduced a bill (S2534) on Thursday that would ban smoking on all county and municipal beaches. The bill advanced from Senate Environment and Energy Committee by 5-0 vote.
“We don’t want our beautiful beaches to be used as ashtrays. It’s a matter of public health, environmental protection and quality of life,” said State Sen. Steve Sweeney in a statement.
Smoking on state beaches is already prohibited by bill signed by Chris Christie, Former Governor of New jersey in the year 2016 refusing to prohibit smoking on county and municipal beaches as well.
Smith (D-Middlesex) said, eighteen beach towns already have smoking bans and there is strong public support for a statewide ban.
Environmental advocates say, cigarettes filters are among the top types of litter collected from beaches. We collected about 25,000 cigarette butts from New Jersey beaches last year.
The ban is not applied for parking lots at beaches. Violators could face $250 fine for a first offensive activity.
By Sowmya
