New Jersey may ban smoking on all beaches

TRENTON - A bill that would ban smoking on all New Jersey beaches is making its way through the state Senate.

The legislation, S-2534, would expand provisions of the 2005 "New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act" to include all of the public beaches in the state. Violators could face a $250 fine for the first offense if the measure becomes law.

Already, 19 New Jersey towns, including Asbury Park and Belmar, ban smoking on their beaches.

More: Asbury Park bans smoking at the beaches

One of the bill's sponsors, state Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, whose 11th District includes Asbury Park, said the measure would minimize nonsmokers' exposure to secondhand smoke while they enjoy the beaches.

"They have a right on public land to be free from a public health situation," he said.

Banning smoking would also help protect New Jersey's beaches from being littered with cigarette butts, one of the top types of debris collected during annual beach cleanups.

More: NJ beaches: The 12 most common items of litter — and a few that are unbelievable

Gopal said the legislation would still allow smoking in beach parking lots. It also would give towns the right to designate up to 15 percent of a beach for smokers.

"We are trying to be very conscientious," he said. "We don't want to infringe on people's private rights."

But it's still months away before a beach smoking ban becomes reality.

More: These are the best Jersey Shore beaches. Did yours make the list?

The ban was approved 5-0 by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. It will likely go to the full Senate for a vote either later this month or early June, Gopal said.

It would also need to be approved by the Assembly and signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. Even then, the law has a 180-day window before it would take effect.

Susanne Cervenka: @scervenka; 732-643-4229; scervenka@gannettnj.com