NJ Lawmakers Want To Restrict Smoking At State's Beaches, Parks
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers are trying again to restrict smoking at public beaches and parks.
The state Legislature has reintroduced a bill that was vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie in 2014.
It would ban smoking at publicly owned beaches and parks, but would enable municipalities to set aside 15 percent of the beach or park as a designated smoking area.
The bill is vague about who would enforce the law, stating "the person having control of" a beach or park would be empowered to ask a patron to stop smoking or move to a designated smoking area.
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, a Bergen County Democrat, predicts most people will comply when asked.
Several shore towns already ban beach smoking, including Belmar, Lavallette and Long Branch.
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