Still Smoldering: Smoking On The Beach Issue

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Kyle Worland with an e-cigarette on the boardwalk at Sea Bright Beach.
Kyle Worland with an e-cigarette on the boardwalk at Sea Bright Beach.

By John Burton
The state Legislature is telling smokers to get the hell off the beach, but the public will have to hold their breath to see what Gov. Chris Christie does about it.
Both the Democratically-controlled Assembly and Senate last week approved identical bills that would effectively prohibit smoking from public beaches and parks, and allow for fines for violating the law.
But the catch, for now, remains: what will Christie do? In 2014 the Republican governor had vetoed a bill very similar to these, saying in a letter to the Assembly at that time “I am not persuaded that a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all State ban is advisable at this time” intimating he would rather leave the decision to individual municipalities. On his regular “Ask The Governor” show on 101.5 FM on Wednesday, May 25, Christie, as an asthmatic, said “I hate smoking” and “it physically bothers me.” But Christie concluded “The problem I have is why shouldn’t municipalities have the power to be able to make these decisions?”
Christie, however, didn’t say flat out he would veto this attempt. What he did say is, “I’ll look at it if it comes to my desk,” and make the decision at that point.
The Governor’s press office this week had no additional comment on the legislation other than to reference Christie’s previous comments.
The bill prohibits the use of tobacco at beaches and parks, including cigars and electronic smoking devices. The legislation does not prevent smoking in parking lots and allows towns, if they choose, to set aside up to 15 percent of the area for permitted smoking. Those convicted of violating it would be subject to a no less than a $250 fine on first offense, $500 for second offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.
“I was proud to join my colleagues in the Legislature to sponsor this bill, which is a common-sense public health initiative that will help not only the health of our residents but the environmental health of our state’s public parks and beaches,” said Assemblywoman Joann Downey, one of the co-sponsors of the bill, who also urged Christie in signing it into law.
On the environmental front, Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action, offered her support of the bill, saying, “It’s an environmental health issue here for marine life, aquatic life and for people. It’s all connected.”
Cigarette filters, she said, are one of the most common forms of litter found during Clean Ocean Action’s twice annually Beach Sweeps clean ups. Last year in just two days, volunteers collected 28,041 discarded filters, and over the past more than 20 years 725,000 have been picked up. “A staggering number,” she said, yet “a fraction of what actually gets out there.”
Filters contain plastics and toxins which have long-term impact on the coastal environment, she said.
“Anything that helps reduce the amount of litter on the beach and raises public awareness is important,” she said.
Since Belmar instituted its own smoking ban in 2014 it “has been hugely successful,” said Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty.
Since instituting it, “Our businesses did better last year than ever before,” Doherty said, maintaining, “People realize when you have a ban on smoking you have a cleaner and healthier beach, which means a better overall experience for families.”
Monmouth Beach, too, has had a longstanding prohibition against smoking on its beaches, limiting it to the parking lot of its municipal beach pavilion, 29 Ocean Ave., said Mayor Susan Howard. When enacted a few years ago, “there was not a lot of controversy,” and no public push back, she said. In fact, Howard explained, there was a call from beachgoers to have the ban. “There were people who were uncomfortable on the beach, with smoke wafting over to their blankets,” she remembered. “It was that simple.”
Sea Bright does permit smoking on its beach and should this be signed by the governor, “We will then change our policies accordingly,” said Mayor Dina Long.
“I personally do not favor government regulating every single aspect of a person’s life,” she said. But that being said, she acknowledged there are some who do “treat the beach as an ashtray.” “Their butts remain for many, many, many years,” and a substantial number of the public would like appreciate a smoke-free area, she observed.
“I do see its value,” in the legislation, Long added, “and think it’s very important to protect our beaches.”
Those taking in the sun on the Sea Bright shore at the start of the Memorial Day weekend last Friday, by and large, liked the idea.
“I think it’s a good thing,” offered Lauren Vereara, who lives in Maywood, in Bergen County. Hopefully, you’ll not see all the dirty cigarette butts and not smell the cigarettes,” said Vereara.
She’s a former smoker – “but I never smoked on the beach,” she maintained.
“It is an addiction,” Middletown’s Bill Curtis said, noting he quit 20 years ago. “And as long as smokers can have a little area I guess I’m for it,” he said of the possible law.
“I think it’s a pretty good idea,” said George Wanat, Rumson. “It’ll keep the beaches clean.”