Hillsborough Township Moves Towards “Smoke Free” Recreational Areas

In a collaborative effort on behalf of the Township Committee, the Board of Health and the Hillsborough-Millstone Municipal Alliance, the Township introduced an ordinance at last Tuesday’s meeting that moves a step closer to having “Smoke Free” parks similar to Somerset County. 

“This is a first step, in the right direction, joining the County in establishing ‘Smoke Free’ areas at our parks,” commented Mayor Doug Tomson.  The introduced ordinance proposes to amend the Code of the Township of Hillsborough, Chapter 221 to include a section to ‘prohibit smoking in Township Parks’.

The concept was brought forth on two fronts to the Township Committee; first by the Municipal Alliance and also by the Regional Chronic Disease Coalition of Somerset through the Township’s Health Department.  The Coalition’s mission is the prevention of chronic illness with smoke prevention as a top goal because it is a major, preventable cause of heart disease, cancer and other chronic health issues.  The Regional Cancer Coalition will donate signs to be placed around the parks, alerting the public about the law. 

The benefits of banning smoking at area parks is multifaceted, aside from the obvious health implications, there is also the reduction of litter as well as the decrease of accidental fires caused by discarded cigarette butts, along with overall environment preservation

The public hearing for this ordinance is set for May 27, 2014. 

********