Cape May rejects proposed beach smoking ban

Cape May officials have rejected plans to ban smoking on its public beaches.

But after yesterday’s vote, City Council members agreed to appoint a committee to review the proposal, which could be reconsidered for the 2013 summer season.

The council had rejected a similar measure last November. It would have banned smoking on all public beaches, parks and the oceanfront walkway in the southern New Jersey resort city.

 

But that proposal came under strong attack from the business community amid concerns it would hurt the tourism industry.

Several other New Jersey beaches already ban or heavily restrict smoking on the sand. And more than 100 New Jersey communities restrict smoking in municipal parks.