The town becomes the first in Atlantic County to prohibit smoking on its ocean beaches
LONGPORT -- Add another Jersey Shore town to the list of beaches where smoking is banned.
Longport voted this week to prohibit smoking at all its municipal buildings and parks and recreation facilities, which includes the beaches, Mayor Nicholas Russo said.
Longport becomes the first in Atlantic County to ban smoking at its ocean beaches.
A first violation carries a $250 fine. A second offense increases the fine to up to $500. Violations after that will be up to $1,000 per offense, according to the ordinance approved Wednesday night.
Christie agrees to smoking ban in state parks, beaches
In 2015, Longport became the first town in New Jersey to ban plastic and paper bags for carry-out at its businesses.
Longport joins more than a dozen Shore towns that have banned smoking on the beach over the past several years.
The state legislature approved bills that would have prohibited smoking on all beaches in New Jersey, but Gov. Chris Christie, saying that decision should be left up to individual towns, vetoed that legislation and instead last July approved bans at state beaches and parks.
Towns where smoking is banned include Beach Haven, Belmar, Cape May Point, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, Long Branch, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, Spring Lake, Surf City and Ocean City.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.