Smoking permitted on Cape May beaches for 2011 season

This summer won’t be a smoke-free one on Cape May beaches. City Council discussed many regulatory and ban ideas at a meeting earlier this week, but none would go into effect before 2012.

The Press of Atlantic City attended Tuesday’s meeting, where council members, Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman and Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy’s Karen Blumenfeld talked about various approaches to beach smoking and possible enforcement.

GASP wants a ban, saying it’d be easier to enforce than other proposals, like allowing smoking on the first 25 feet of beach, or on sidewalks. At issue is whether the ban would effect tourism.

Wichterman said the discussion will move forward, but for the 2012 season, not this year.