New Legislation Takes Aim At Smoking At NJ Beaches

FORT LEE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Lawmakers are looking to extend bans on smoking to the beach.

State Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle told WCBS 880's Levon Putney beachgoers should not have to sit next to smokers when they return to the Jersey Shore this summer.

Listen to NJ Lawmakers Take Aim At Smoking At Public Beaches

"And when they're smoking, you really do inhale the second-hand smoke on the beaches. And the same thing when you're walking barefoot on the sand, you're certainly walking on the cigarette butts," Huttle said.

"And so, we prefer that people don't smoke at the beaches because it's an unhealthful environment and it hurts the people as well," said anti-smoking advocate Karen Blumenfeld. Blumenfeld is not for designated smoking areas either, Putney reported.

The state Assembly passed a bill banning smoking at public beaches, which is now in the hands of the Senate, Putney reported.

The measure might reach Gov. Chris Christie's desk by June.

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