Smoke-free public areas coming soon
Council approves umbrella ordinance; will establish areas by resolution
Smoke-free public areas are one step closer to a reality in Asbury Park.
The city council on Wednesday night approved an ordinance giving them the authority to establish smoke-free areas by resolution. The governing body has discussed designating Sixth Avenue beach as a smoke-free area first.
The vote for the ordinance was four-to-one, with Councilman Kevin Sanders voting no.
“I’ve never smoked but I can’t see voting for it,” he said. “It’s going to take away more rights … People might not come to Asbury because they can’t smoke. I think we’re going down a crazy area with that.”
Deputy Mayor John Loffredo also voiced trepidation before voting.
“When are we going to stop? When are we going to say, ‘Okay, folks, this is what you want to do, do it,'” he said. “Where do we stop tying to legislate morality? I’m not against his ordinance per se. I’d just like to know how far are we going to go with this.”
Residents also voiced their opposition during a public hearing on the ordinance prior to the vote.
“I don’t smoke but I think it’s terrible that you would pass such an ordinance for people who are smoking at the beach,” Rita Murano said. “It’s the American way.”
Mayor Ed Johnson disagreed.
“I have the right and the expectation to be in an open public place without having to inhale a cigar or cigarette or have my health put in jeopardy by somebody else who doesn’t care,” Johnson said. “It’s not the American way to subject people to ill health.”
Community activist Duanne Small also said the ordinance was an infringement on personal rights.
“If you see someone smoking on the beach, move away from them,” he said. “What’s next? No Speedos on the beach?”
Some anti-smoking advocates like Monmouth County Health Department health officer Mike Meddis; Patricia Virga of the Monmouth Cancer Coalition; and Rachel Lendner of the American Cancer Society spoke in support of the ordinance.
“Smoking is still the number one preventable cause of death in the world,” said Mike Meddis, health officer for the Monmouth County Health Department. “There’s only about 17 percent of the population in New Jersey who smoke cigarettes, so the remainder of the people are entitled to a smoke-free environment. It’s a no-brainer.”
The American Cancer Society will provide the city with signage to designate non-smoking areas, Lendner said.
