[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Middle 6-2-2014 by Ord. No. 1473-14. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Township Committee of the Township of Middle hereby finds
and determines that:
A.
The smoking of tobacco products is a major contributor to indoor
air pollution and breathing and secondhand smoke is a cause of disease
to nonsmokers;
B.
The United States Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) has
designated secondhand smoke as a Class A carcinogen, as well as a
significant cause of respiratory problems in children;
C.
In 1986 the United States Surgeon General found that the active smoking
of tobacco products and the passive inhalation of environmental tobacco
smoke are the most prevalent causes of preventable death, disease
and disability;
D.
The United States Surgeon General found that separating smokers from
nonsmokers within the same air space does not eliminate the exposure
of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke;
E.
The New Jersey Legislature finds and declares that tobacco is the
leading cause of preventable disease and death in the State of New
Jersey and the nation and tobacco smoke constitutes a substantial
health hazard to the nonsmoking majority of the public;
F.
The State of New Jersey has acknowledged that careless smoking is
the leading cause of death from fire;
G.
Smoking leads to the inevitable discard of tobacco products and a
source of litter by those who fail to properly dispose of cigarettes;
H.
The State of New Jersey entered into litigation against various tobacco
product manufacturers and others for the purpose of improving the
public's health and adopting policies and programs to achieve a significant
reduction in smoking by its citizens, and in particular, by youth
and, as part of a settlement, the State of New Jersey received significant
funding for the advancement of public health, including the implementation
of important tobacco-related public health measures and restrictions.
I.
In 2006, the Legislature enacted the New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act,
N.J.S.A. 26:3D-56 et seq., creating an outright ban on smoking in
virtually all public indoor facilities and extending such ban to the
grounds of any public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school,
regardless of whether the area is an indoor or outdoor public place;
and
J.
The Legislature has deemed the control of smoking to be a necessary
and proper exercise of municipal authority pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-1
et seq., 40:48-2 et seq., and N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13 for the preservation
of public health, safety and welfare of the community.
As used in this chapter only, the following words and terms
shall be defined as set forth below. All other terms, words and phrases
not defined herein shall be given their customary meaning.
Any athletic fields, playgrounds and other active and passive
recreation areas primarily of service to youth, owned, leased, operated
or under the ownership control of Middle Township to which the general
public is invited and youth under the age of 18 may gather.
Any individual, partnership, cooperative association, private
corporation, personal representative, receiver, trustee, assignee
or any other legal entity.
Any building, structure, facility or complex, including appurtenant
parking areas, owned, leased, operated or under the ownership control
of Middle Township to which the general public is invited.
The inhaling, exhaling, burning or possession of any lighted
cigar, cigarette, pipe or other combustible tobacco product in any
manner or in any form. This shall include e-cigarettes or any other
type of artificial cigarettes that produce emissions.
A.
Except as otherwise provided herein, smoking shall be prohibited
in the following places:
(1)
In every room chamber, lobby, hallway and other common areas in and
upon any public building.
(2)
In every park where children are present and congregate.
(3)
Any entrance or exit areas of any public buildings where smoke may
enter the air people breathe through such entrances, exits, windows
or ventilation systems.
(4)
Any vehicles owned and/or leased, in part or entirely, by the Township
of Middle.
(5)
Public areas of libraries, museums or the like which are funded or
partially funded by government agencies.
(6)
Any polling places within 100 feet of the public entrances to any
polling places during the time at which elections are being conducted.
B.
Smoking optional areas. Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained
in the foregoing provisions, outdoor smoking areas may be designated
by the Township Committee by resolution of same. Smoking areas, once
approved, shall bear signs specifically designating that they are
smoking areas. Smoking areas shall be clear of any public entrance
or exit areas of any public buildings where smoke may enter the air
people breathe through such entrances, exits, windows or ventilation
systems. Except as approved by resolution, no smoking shall be permitted
in any other areas of any public buildings and parks.
"Smoking" or "No Smoking" signs, as appropriate, or the international
"No Smoking" symbol (a picture of a burning cigarette inside a red
circle with a red bar across it) shall be clearly and conspicuously
posted by the owner, operator, manager, employer or such other person
in control of every public building where smoking is controlled by
this chapter. The color of such signs, when not of the international
type, shall have letters that are distinct, contrasting to the background
and easily read. The "No Smoking" signs shall be posted, at a minimum,
on every area which provides an entry to the public building. The
sign shall list the ordinance number and applicable fine. The "Smoking"
signs shall be posted only in those areas so designated by resolution
of the governing body as provided by this chapter.
The implementation and administration of regulations concerning the Township's designation of the Township's smoking areas shall be approved by resolution as necessary from time to time under this chapter in accordance with the terms of this § 211A-5. Prior to implementing any such designations by resolution, the Township Committee shall consult with and obtain input from the designated Township staff and advisory boards regarding the proposed designated smoking areas. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this § 211A-5, any designated areas implemented hereunder shall not contradict the specific terms of this chapter, nor may the penalties imposed under this chapter be assessed for a violation of any regulation implemented by the Township Committee, unless such violated regulation was, prior to the violation, adopted by an ordinance.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforceable by a police
officer or employee of the Township of Middle, as well as by any other
individual. Any person seeking to enforce the provisions of this chapter
shall be authorized to file a complaint in the Municipal Court of
the Township of Middle.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke in any area where smoking
is prohibited under this chapter.
B.
Unless a greater fine is permitted under N.J.S.A. 26:23D-56 et seq.
for smoking in specific areas defined therein, in which case such
higher level of fine shall be utilized, any person who smokes in an
area in which smoking is prohibited shall be guilty of a disorderly
persons offense and subject to a maximum fine of $200 for each violation
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13.
C.
Any person found guilty defacing, tampering with or removing "No
Smoking" or "Smoking" signs, which are required by this chapter, shall
be guilty of a disorderly persons offense and subject to a maximum
fine of $200, plus the cost of replacing the sign.
D.
Any juvenile adjudicated to have violated the provisions of this
chapter shall be subject to such penalties, fines or other discipline
as may be imposed upon an adult pursuant to this chapter.
No provision of this chapter shall be construed or interpreted
to allow smoking where it is otherwise restricted or prohibited by
other laws.
[Added 5-15-2023 by Ord. No. 1670-23]
Violation of this Chapter 211A constitutes a breach of the peace.
