Christie Vetoes Smoking Ban For NJ Beaches, Parks (Newsclips, Editorials, Letters To Editor, Bill Sponsor Statements)
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On September 10 2014, Governor Christie vetoed A1080/S1772 that would have banned smoking in public parks and public beaches across the state. Though the bill had an overwhelming support from the Senate and the Assembly, Christine suggested that a “one sized fits all” approach to this measure is not adequate.
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), one of the measure’s sponsors, spoke on Christie’s veto and finding his actions a blow to public health and the environment. “Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in this country and everyone is well aware of the dangers of second-hand smoking in this day and age,” Vainieri Huttle said in a statement today. “The damage discarded cigarettes do to our already fragile ecosystems is also well-documented. I would have hoped the governor would have joined the overwhelming majority of the legislature who supported this bill by standing up for the public’s best interests.”
You can read Governor Christie’s reasoning on the veto here.
Newsclips on Gov. Christie’s Veto:
- 9-11-14 The Asbury Park Press on Christie’s Veto of S1772/A1080
- 9-11-14 The Star Ledger Discusses Christie’s Veto of Smokefree Parks Bill
- 9-11-14 Politicker NJ headlines Sen. Turner’s statement in response to Gov. Christie vetoing her smoke-free parks bill.
- 9-11-14 The Trentonian describes disappointment from two of the bill sponsors, on Gov. Christie’s veto of the smoke-free parks bill.
- 9-12-14 The Bergen Record shared that Altria lobbied against the NJ smokefree parks bill , and that the Republican Governors Association has accepted $130,000 in contributions from the tobacco industry since Gov. Christie became its Chairman
Editorials Opposing Gov. Christie’s Veto:
- 9-11-14 Asbury Park Press Editorial disappointed in Governor’s veto of smokefree parks bill
- 9-12-14 Bergen Record editorial opposes Gov. Christie’s veto of smokefree parks bill.
- 9-12-14 NJ Star-Ledger editorial opposing Gov. Christie’s veto of the smokefree parks bill.
- 9-15-14 The Daily Princetonian Columnist Benjamin Dinovelli’s opinion, “A Politically Motivated Veto” expressing his disappointment of Gov. Christie’s vetoing the statewide smokefree parks bill.
- 9-22-14 Times of Trenton Editorial Opposing Veto of Smokefree Parks Bill
Letters to the Editor Opposing Gov. Christie’s Veto:
- 9-16-14 Letter to the Editor of MyCentralJersey.Com: Letter from Jill Williams, M.D. Chair of New Jersey Breathes
- 9-16-14 Letter to the Editor of Philadelphia Inquirer supports NJ bill that would have made parks all smokefree.
- 9-14-14 Letter to the Editor of Times of Trenton: NJ Sierra Club Director calls for override of vetoing statewide smokefree parks bill.
- 9-16-14 Letter to the Editor of The Bergen Record: Christie Caters to Tobacco Lobby
- 9-13-14, Letter to the Editor of The Star-Ledger: Letter from the American Lung Association showing disappointment in the Governor’s veto of the statewide smoke free parks bill.
- 9-15-14 Letter to the Editor of the Asbury Park Press: Resident supports smokefree parks, calls for veto override
Bill Sponsor Statements on Gov. Christie’s Veto: