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City officials who are weighing implementing a smoking ban along Asbury Park beaches have run into a glitch.

As first proposed during the Jan. 25 City Council meeting, the administration has recommended doing away with smoking on the beaches but allowing it along the boardwalk.

But a no smoking near commercial establishments law, brought to their attention by Group Against Smog and Pollution [GASP] would limit where smoking could be permitted along the AP Boardwalk, City Manager Michael Capabianco said during the Feb. 14 meeting.

“Secondhand smoke cannot go into commercial establishments, which obviously restricts smoking on the boardwalk,” he said. “We know there has been discussion from the public about allowing some beaches to [permit] smoking. I would recommend the Council set up a committee to discuss this to try to make up a recommendation to the governing body in the next month or so.”

Mayor John Moor questioned why they approved spending $2,000 for cigarette butt holders as part of the annual menu improvement items funded by boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette.

“Why would we appropriate $2,000 for butt collectors on the boardwalk if you are going to ban it from the boardwalk,” he asked.

Capabianco said the law as it reads is that smoking can’t go into commercial establishments; there has to be a buffer.

But Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn further questioned the law.

“If you are having a cigarette on the boardwalk, it’s not like you are standing at Langosta [Lounge] and blowing it in,” she said. “If I have a cigarette [and I don’t smoke] and I’m leaning against the rails on the boardwalk, I am clearly not blowing smoke into a commercial establishment.”

Capabianco said there must be a buffer zone and that approval of the menu items gives authorization to allocate the funds.

“I will tell [Beach Manager] Garrett [Giberson] don’t buy them yet until there is something concrete,” he said.

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