NJ Gov. Christie vetoes outdoor rec area smoking ban (John C. Ensslin, NorthJersey.com)
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Governor Chris Christie vetoed a bill this past Friday that would require all state, county and local parks, beaches and rec areas be 100% smokefree. The Governor has shared that he does not like to be around smoke, but the authority should be with local and county officials to decide. He agreed to ban smoking at state parks and beaches, but it is up to the legislature to decide whether they will agree to this compromise or not. The legislature has until the end of the current session to decide.
Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy was credited in the article for stating that nearly 300 communities in New Jersey have smokefree rec areas ordinances, including 12 shore communities that adopted smokefree beach bans. It should be noted that in the prior legislative session, Christie vetoed the bill outright, and did not offer a compromise.
Read the full NorthJersey.com article here.