Kids & Family

Smoking Banned at Parks, Pools, Recreational Areas

Anti-smoking groups backed legislation that bans the unhealthy activity at places where a lot of children congregate.

Smoking will be prohibited at municipal lakes, parks and swimming pools thanks to a new ordinance the adopted Wednesday night.

The law means attendees of these areas are banned from smoking or even carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe in all parks, recreational areas, and swimming facilities, including their parking lots and driveways. Electronic cigarettes are also banned. The law is expected to go into effect Sept. 27.

Previously, Barbour Pond Park was the only facility in town that was completely smoke free; smoking was allowed in the parking lots at North Cove Park, Captain Michael Kilroy Memorial Park, and the James W. Roe Memorial Pool.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Council Aug. 15. Representatives from Tobacco Free For A Healthy New Jersey and Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy (GASP) attended that meeting and the one on Wednesday and expressed their support for the new legislation.

A dozen other municipalities in the county already prohibit smoking in public parks. Pompton Lakes, Totowa, and North Haledon are the only ones that allow it.

Find out what's happening in Waynewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mayor Christopher Vergano said “township parks, pools and lakes are used mostly by younger people and we have an obligation to protect them and others from second-hand smoke.”

Council President Joseph Scuralli agreed.

“Some of the primary users of township parks are children,” Scuralli said. “Unfortunately, smoking affects other people who do not engage in the activity and that’s who we are looking to protect with this new law.”

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here