March 26, 2017
A Jersey Shore town joined a recent effort this week to prevent beachgoers from digging their butts in the sand.
The Longport Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance on Wednesday banning smoking on borough property and inside it's municipal facilities, which includes its beaches, Shore News Today reported. The measure also protects visitors to recreation centers, parks and government buildings from exposure to cigarette smoke.
Under the ordinance, cigarettes, cigars, pipes and electronic smoking devices are prohibited. Violators will be subject to a $250 fine for the first offense, a $500 fine for the second offense and a $1,000 fine for each subsequent offense.
Smoking is the latest crackdown from Longport officials, which recently barred the release of helium-filled balloons within the borough's limits.
Longport was also the first New Jersey town to ban businesses from giving customers plastic and paper bags to carry out items, NJ.com reports.
According to the website, Longport joined Beach Haven, Belmar, Cape May Point, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, Long Branch, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, Spring Lake, Surf City and Ocean City where smoking on the beach is prohibited.
