Island Beach is first state recreation area with cigarette-free zone
Jump to full article: (Newark, NJ) Star-Ledger, 2004-08-17
Author: MARYANN SPOTO Star-Ledger Staff
Intro: Island Beach State Park in Ocean County yesterday joined the list of New Jersey beaches where smoking has been restricted or banned.
Smokers face $100 fines if they get caught lighting up in a section of sand designated as a smoke-free area.
"This program offers an alternative for visitors who prefer a smoke-free environment while at the beach," Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley Campbell said. "We encourage input from the public so that we can provide the best beach experience for all of our park patrons."
Smokers say the prohibitions are neither surprising nor necessary. . . .
Over the weekend, park officials handed out fliers advising beachgoers of their right to choose a smoke-free environment in a 500-foot by 250-foot nonsmoking section at Bathing Beach 1. There are no smoking restrictions at Beach 2.
If all goes well with the restrictions at Island Beach, which became the first state-owned recreation area in New Jersey to delineate a smoke-free section, the restraints could spread to other state-owned parks, DEP spokeswoman Elaine Makatura said.
Jump to full article » |