CAPE MAY — It will still be OK for smokers to light up on the beach in Cape May this summer.

The seaside resort at the southern tip of New Jersey had considered some form of smoking restrictions for beachgoers, but decided to wait a year before doing anything.

Karen Blumenfeld, a statewide anti-smoking advocate, had urged the City Council to ban smoking on the beach. She said smokers still could puff away on the sidewalk.

But some council members worried about scaring away tourists. Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman suggested allowing smoking on a third of the beach.

Councilwoman Deanna Fiocca says she surveyed 60 people and only two said banning smoking on the beach is a bad idea.

Previous coverage:

• N.J. beach-smoking ban is on hold

• Smoking ban at N.J. beaches, public parks is lawmaker's goal

• Belmar tightens restrictions on smoking on beach