HOWELL – As we start to welcome warm spring weather, Howell Township Police will begin to enforce the township’s ban on smoking in public places.
In April 2023, Howell Township updated its smoking ordinance in order to align with New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act. According to the Howell Police and the Howell Township Alliance, the ordinance makes it unlawful to smoke or vape in parks, recreational and athletic facilities, public places, and other township-owned properties, regardless of the substance smoked or vaped.
“Our enforcement is an effort to keep public parks and facilities enjoyable for all community members as the weather warms and the days grow longer,” said Howell Township Police Chief John Storrow. “Families and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma have the right to enjoy the outdoors and fresh air without concern. The increased popularity of vaping and legalization of cannabis have heavily increased incidents of smoking in public, which is against the law.”
Howell Alliance Coordinator Christa Riddle said the “Smoking in Public Places” enforcement would include:
• Howell Township Police Department officers will enforce the ban on smoking on public property and in public places by issuing summonses for violations, no matter what substance is being smoked or vaped (the substance being smoked will not need to be checked).
• Fines for smoking on public property and in public places are $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.
• In lieu of the first offense, the Howell Township Municipal Court judge may discretionarily waive the $250 fee with proof of completion of RWJ Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s eight-week Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery Program (or another similar, accredited cessation program).
The public can find signage in places like Echo Lake Park to remind those that the area is smoke-free. Howell was the first municipality in Monmouth County to receive the updated New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act signs in 2021. The signs feature symbols for electronic smoking devices and marijuana, in addition to combustible cigarettes.
The signs were provided compliments of New Jersey Prevention Network, Tobacco-Free for a Healthy New Jersey, and the New Jersey Department of Health. The signs also include QR code stickers to reference Howell Township’s updated ordinance and the schedule of violations and fines.
