New Jersey may be first state to ban smoking on beaches, in parks

By Victoria Cavaliere NEW YORK (Reuters) – New Jersey could become the first state in the nation to ban cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products in all public parks and beaches if Governor Chris Christie signs into law a sweeping anti-smoking bill approved by lawmakers. The bill passed both houses of the New Jersey legislature with strong bipartisan support and was sitting on Chistie's desk on Friday but the Republican presidential hopeful would not indicate his intentions. Public beaches would also be smoke-free, though local officials can opt to save 15 percent of beach land as a designated smoking section. "This is definitely groundbreaking," said Karen Blumenfeld, the executive director of Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy, a proponent of the New Jersey bill.