The New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act was passed overwhelmingly by the New Jersey Legislature.  The Senate vote, in December 2005, was 29 to 7.  The Assembly vote, in January 2006, was 64 to 12.  Governor Codey signed the legislation January 15, 2006.  It goes into effect 90 days later, April 15, 2006, i.e., just after midnight the night of Friday, April 14th.

The Act says, "The Legislature finds and declares that ... tobacco smoke constitutes a substantial health hazard to the nonsmoking majority ... and it is clearly in the public interest to prohibit smoking in all enclosed indoor places of public access and workplaces."

• offices, factories, commercial buildings and facilities, and government facilities
• restaurants, bars, clubs, theatres
• bowling alleys, sports facilities, race tracks, bingo sites
• private clubs, whether social, recreational, civic, fraternal, religious, academic, military, etc.
• shopping malls and retail stores
• all elementary and secondary schools, child care facilities, museums, places of worship
• health care facilities and offices, nursing homes, addiction treatment facilities
• hotels, public transportation vehicles and stations and platforms, parking garages
• apartment building lobbies and public areas in other private buildings.

It also prohibits smoking outdoors on the property of any public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school, in addition to indoor school facilities.

The only specified exceptions where smoking may, but need not, be permitted, are:

• the gaming area of a casino that contains at least 150 stand-alone slot machines, or 10 table games, or some combination thereof approved by the Casino Control Commission;
• an area within a casino simulcasting facility with a simulcast counter and dedicated seating for at least 50 simulcast patrons or at least 10 table games;
• a cigar bar or lounge that is entirely enclosed and separately ventilated, and that was in existence and generated 15% or more of its annual gross income from tobacco products sales (not including cigarettes) and humidor rentals before December 31, 2004, and which has not expanded or changed its location since 2004 (plus additional restrictions); 
• a tobacco retail establishment in which at least 51% of business is the sale of tobacco products (not including cigarettes) and accessories and in which the sale of other products is merely incidental;
• any tobacco business where the testing of a cigar or pipe tobacco by burning or smoking is a necessary and integral part of the manufacturing, etc.
• private homes, private residences, and private automobiles.

The legislation, in an earlier proposed version, excepted sites owned and operated by social and fraternal organizations, when used by members, and in which all services are performed by members who do not receive compensation of any kind. But that exception, which was only to have been a two years' exception, was removed from the final, enacted law. Both the legislation's co-sponsor, Senator Adler, and the Senate Health Committee Chairperson, Senator Vitale, have publicly stated that private clubs are included.

Additionally, a hotel or motel may, but need not, permit smoking in a maximum of 20% of its guest rooms.

For a more complete description of exceptions, click here

Enforcement is by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services or the local board of health.  A person having control of an indoor workplace or public place shall order any person smoking in violation of the act to comply.  A person who smokes in violation is subject to a minimum fine of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.  

An indoor public place or workplace in violation of the act, that fails to comply with the act following written notice, is subject to minimum fine of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.  In addition, the court may order immediate compliance with the provisions of the act.

Municipalities may enact ordinances which provide restrictions on or prohibitions against smoking equivalent to, or greater than, those provided under this law, including different enforcement procedures and additional penalties.

To see the full text of the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act (P. L. 2005, Chapter 383, C.26:3D-55 et seq.) on the New Jersey State Legislature website, click here.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services will issue regulations more completely specifying the parameters of the law and enforcement procedures and they will be available here.

Please note: The information presented on this website is not intended as, nor to be construed, or used, as legal advice, and should not be used to replace the advice of your legal counsel.

This page updated March 25, 2006.