Asbury Park Becomes 17th Beach To Ban Smoking: Where Are They?

There are now at least 17 places at the Jersey Shore where you can enjoy the fresh salt air without the smell of tobacco (see list below).

The Asbury Park City Council approved a beach smoking ban Wednesday by a narrow 3-2 vote. Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn and Councilman Jesse Kendle cast the no votes.

The ban prohibits smoking or any tobacco products on the beach, and none of these items can be littered, either.

Signage along the boardwalk and beaches will be changed to reflect the new guidelines prior to the summer season, officials told The Asbury Park Sun.

The plan was recently introduced after an increasing number of complaints from beachgoers, according to News12.

"We want to make the beaches fun, safe and family-friendly," Asbury Park director of communications Sonia Spina, told News12. "Plus cigarette butts produce a lot of litter on our beaches and end up in our ocean, which we want to avoid."

Officials say that they do not know if the ban would extend to the boardwalk, according to the reports. Belmar and Spring Lake officials have already banned smoking on their beaches.

Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra club, told The Asbury Park Press that he applauded the move. "People are just turning the beach into an ash tray," Tittel said.

"When we do our beach cleanups we clean up thousands of cigarettes on just one little patch of beach sometimes," Tittel told the publication.

Here is a list of other Jersey Shore towns that have banned smoking on the beach:

• Avon By the Sea
• Barnegat Light
• Beach Haven
• Belmar
• Cape May Point
• Harvey Cedars
• Lavallette
• Long Beach Township
• Long Branch
• Longport
• Point Pleasant
• Sea Girt
• Seaside Park
• Ship Bottom
• Spring Lake
• Surf City

Google Earth photo