Ocean City Beach Smoking Ban Set For Final Vote Thursday Night

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Council will make its final decision on a proposed ban on smoking at the beach Thursday night. A public hearing and final vote on the proposal is set for Thursday night, June 14, 7 p.m. at City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue.

The proposal calls for a ban on smoking throughout the entire beach, and on all paths leading to the beach, according to the agenda packet.

Smoking is already banned on the boardwalk, and at outdoor parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities and the city's indoor facilities.

When the proposal was introduced at the May 24 meeting, it passed with a vote of 6-1, with Councilwoman Karen Bergman calling the proposal “too harsh.”

The vote comes as Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to sign into law a bill to ban smoking at state, county and municipal parks, as well as New Jersey’s public beaches. The proposal has been approved by both the State Senate and State Assembly.

There are also 16 items on the consent agenda. To view the full agenda, visit ocnj.us.

Patch file photo