The state Legislature passed a bill that would prohibit smoking and vaping on all beaches across New Jersey. Watch video
ASBURY PARK -- The summer season is ramping up, and some beachgoers are lighting up -- but they may not be able to for long.
Visitors to the Asbury Park Boardwalk on Saturday overwhelmingly supported a state bill that would give cigarettes the boot on beaches throughout New Jersey.
But the jury is still out on whether Gov. Chris Christie will sign the bill, which the Legislature passed Thursday. Christie has said he thinks individual municipalities should be able to choose whether to prohibit smoking on their beaches, and he has vetoed similar bills.
This bill (A893) would ban smoking and vaping at all state parks and forests, county and municipal parks, and state and municipal beaches. Anyone caught violating the law could face hundreds of dollars in fines.
For some people, like South Orange resident Sally Ward, smoking on the beach is a health issue. She has asthma, and cigarette smoke makes her cough.
For others, it's just a nuisance.
"It's really bothersome when somebody's sitting next to you and it does get into your face, and you're just trying to go about your day and relax on the beach," said Ashley Gonzalez, of Bloomfield.
A handful of visitors to Asbury Park said they would support a ban, but with exceptions.
Although Queens, N.Y., resident Kareem Williams dislikes inhaling cigarette smoke, he finds vaping much less intrusive and wouldn't mind it still being allowed.
Jim Durek, who spends nearly every weekend in Asbury Park, wants a ban on smoking only during the day.
"When the beach is crowded ... and when the lifeguards are around, I agree with the smoking ban," he said. "When the beaches clear out, the lifeguards are gone, I still would like to go and sit in a lawn chair and have a cigar."
A few people passionately opposed the bill, which Asbury Park resident Zak Ellis called "absurd."
"It doesn't make sense," he said. "I just feel that it's open space."
Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati. Find NJ.com on Facebook.