News & Notes: Board of Health bans smoking on municipal property

An anti-smoking ordinance approved March 19 by the Princeton Board of Health will prohibit smoking within 35 feet of municipal property, public parks and pools beginning next month, WPVI reported. While the town joins more than 150 other New Jersey communities in adopting outdoor smoking bans, it is the first one in Mercer County to do so.

The ordinance will require a $250 fine for first-time violations and will be monitored by police and health officers. Additionally, no smoking signs funded by the American Cancer Society will be installed outside the required locations.

“This is exciting for us moving forward,” Councilwoman Heather Howard told The Times of Trenton. “Smoking is the number-one preventable cause of death. This is the ability to save lives.”

A smoking area at the old Borough municipal building is currently within 35 feet of the building and will likely require relocation under the ban, town manager Bob Bruschi told The Times.

Outdoor smoking is already banned in municipal areas like Hinds Plaza for its proximity to the public library.