Photo courtesy of Wildwood Boardwalk Facebook page
Smoking on the beach is already prohibited in tons of popular NJ beach towns, like Belmar, Seaside Park and Ocean City. Now, you’ll be able to enjoy smoke-free adventures with the kids in North Wildwood and Wildwood, too, as smokers are no longer permitted to light up on the boards.
Both cities passed the law last spring, but it just went into effect this New Year’s Day. Smoking is banned on the boardwalk, boardwalk approaches and the beach within 10 feet of the boards. Wildwood’s beloved Morey’s Piers and Beachfront Water Parks have also been smoke-free for some time already, so this means even more family-friendly airspace will be open to your crew.
If you’re caught lighting up in North Wildwood, you might have to pay a hefty fine of $250. In Wildwood, it’s even stricter: up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.
Less secondhand smoke and cleaner air are obvious reasons behind the ordinances, but it turns out small fires break out annually in trash cans thanks to discarded cigarette butts, too, according to Mayor of North Wildwood Patrick Rosenello.
