Township of Medford, NJ Smoking

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;

In 1986 the U.S. 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;

The U.S. Surgeon General found that separating smokers from nonsmokers within the same air space does not eliminate the exposure of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke;

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;

The State of New Jersey has acknowledged that careless smoking is the leading cause of death from fire;

Smoking leads to the inevitable discard of tobacco products and a source of litter by those who fail to properly dispose of cigarettes;

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;

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

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.

§ 126-2 Definitions.

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.

PARK

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 Medford Township to which the general public is invited and youth under the age of 18 may gather.

PERSON

Any individual, partnership, cooperative association, private corporation, personal representative, receiver, trustee, assignee or any other legal entity.

PUBLIC BUILDING

Any building, structure, facility or complex, including appurtenant parking areas, owned, leased, operated or under the ownership control of Medford Township to which the general public is invited.

SMOKING

The inhaling, exhaling, burning or possession of any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other combustible tobacco product in any manner or in any form.

§ 126-3 Smoking prohibited.

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 Medford.

(5)

Public areas of libraries, museums or the like which are funded or partially funded by government agencies.

(6)

Any polling places and within 100 feet of the public entrances to any polling places during the time at which elections are being conducted.

Smoking optional areas. Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in the foregoing provisions, outdoor smoking areas may be designated upon application and approval by the Township Manager. 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 the Township Manager, no smoking shall be permitted in any other areas of any public buildings and parks.

§ 126-4 Signs.

"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 the Township Manager as provided by this chapter.

§ 126-5 Promulgation of regulations.

The Township Manager shall have the authority to prepare, implement and administer regulations concerning the Township's designation of smoking areas under this chapter in accordance with the terms of this Chapter 126. Prior to implementing any such designations, the Township Manager shall a) consult with and obtain input from the designated Township staff regarding the proposed smoking areas, b) provide copies of the proposed smoking areas to all members of Council, and c) provide notice to Township residents and an opportunity for and consideration of comments pursuant to the following sentence. The public notice required by phrase c) of the foregoing sentence may be accomplished by any means reasonably calculated to make the proposed designations generally available to Township residents, which notice may include publication in a local newspaper or posting on the Township's website and shall be for a period of at least 14 days prior to the effective date of the proposed regulations. Council may at any time, by resolution or ordinance, adopt, amend or rescind any regulations implemented by the Township Manager under this Chapter 126. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Chapter 126, 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 Manager, unless such violated regulation was, prior to the violation, adopted by an ordinance. The sole recourse of the Township for the violation of a regulation implemented by the Manager hereunder and not adopted by an ordinance shall be the Township's refusal to provide the applicable service to the violating resident.

§ 126-6 Enforcement.

The provisions of this chapter shall be enforceable by a police officer or employee of the Township of Medford, as well as by any other individual. Any person seeking to enforce the provision of this chapter shall be authorized to file a complaint in the Municipal Court of the Township of Medford.

§ 126-7 Violations and penalties.

It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke in any area where smoking is prohibited under this chapter.

Unless a greater fine is permitted under N.J.S.A. 26:3D-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.

Any person found guilty of 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.

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.

§ 126-8 Construal of provisions.

No provision of this chapter shall be construed or interpreted to allow smoking where it is otherwise restricted or prohibited by other laws.

§ 126-9 Repealer; severability; when effective.

Repealer. Any and all ordinances inconsistent with the terms of this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent of any such inconsistencies.

Severability. In the event that any clause, section, paragraph or sentence of this chapter is deemed to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, then the Township Council hereby declares its intent that the balance of the ordinance not affected by said invalidity shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that it allows the Township to meet the goals of the ordinance.

Effective date. This chapter shall take effect upon proper passage in accordance with the law.