[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Buena Vista 3-14-2016 by Ord.
No. 18-2016. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Township Committee of the Township of Buena Vista hereby
finds and determines that:
A.
The smoking of tobacco products is a major contributor to indoor
air pollution and breathing 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 also 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 has also been found to lead to the inevitable discard of
tobacco products and a source of litter by those who fail to properly
dispose of cigarettes and tobacco products;
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., N.J.S.A. 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.
The use of an electronic device that can be used to deliver
nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device,
including but not limited to an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo
or pipe.
Any athletic fields, playgrounds and/or other active and
passive recreation areas primarily of service to youth, owned, leased,
operated or under the ownership control of Buena Vista Township, to
which the general public is invited and/or youth under the age of
18 may gather. Public parks, playgrounds and ball fields shall also
include all parks, playgrounds and ball fields as shall also include
all public places as defined or set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a regarding
use of cannabis or its derivatives in public places, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13
regarding smoking in public, and N.J.SA. 26:3D-577 et seq., regarding
smoking and vaping in public places.
[Amended 7-26-2021 by Ord. No. 102-2021]
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 Buena Vista Township, to which the general public is invited and/or
occupied by Township of Buena Vista employees. This shall also include
all public places as defined or set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a regarding
use of cannabis or its derivatives in public places, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13
regarding smoking in public, and N.J.S.A. 26: 3D-577 et seq., regarding
smoking and vaping in public places.
[Amended 7-26-2021 by Ord. No. 102-2021]
The inhaling, exhaling, burning or possession of any lighted
cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other combustible tobacco product, or cannabis
in any manner or in any form, including, but not limited to, weed,
plant or other vegetative or similar material. This shall include,
but not be limited to, e-cigarettes or any other type of artificial
cigarettes that produce emissions. Smoking shall also include consumption
of cannabis or its derivatives as defined or set forth in N.J.S.A.
2C:35-10a regarding use of cannabis or its derivatives in public places,
N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13 regarding smoking in public, and N.J.S.A. 26:3D-57
et seq., regarding smoking and vaping in public places.
[Amended 7-26-2021 by Ord. No. 102-2021]
Any product containing tobacco or nicotine, including but
not limited to cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco,
dipping tobacco, bidis, snus, loose leaf tobacco, tobacco pellets,
plug tobacco, twist or rope tobacco, dipping tobacco, dissolvable
tobacco and electronic cigarette cartridges.
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 any members of the public 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, equipment owned and/or leased, in part or entirely,
by the Township of Buena Vista.
(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 Buena Vista Township Committee by a 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 Township Committee 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 of this chapter. 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 of Buena Vista's designation of its smoking areas shall be approved by resolution as necessary from time to time under this chapter in accordance with the terms of this § 230-5. Prior to implementing any such designations by resolution, the Buena Vista 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 § 230-5, 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 Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista, 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 Buena Vista.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke in any area where smoking
is prohibited under this chapter.
B.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject
to a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense, $500 for the
second offense, and $1,000 for each and every subsequent offense.
In addition, any municipal employee found in violation of this chapter
shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Township
of Buena Vista's Policies and Procedures.
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.
