Westwood Council Decides New Smoking Ban Not Needed

The Westwood Council decided against introducing a new ordinance banning smoking in parks Tuesday because it's already prohibited.

Officials had been considering a new ordinance at the suggestion of Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy (GASP), an anti-smoking group, and the borough's Recreation Advisory Board and Board of Health.

State law has banned smoking in "indoor public places" including government buildings, though towns can make stricter laws, a GASP rep said. Borough ordinance already prohibits smoking "in any indoor or outdoor park or recreation facility."

"I don't see the need to write another ordinance that covers what we already cover," Councilwoman Cynthia Waneck said.

Officials estimated that the costs of having the borough attorney prepare the ordinance and placing the notice in newspapers would have cost several hundred dollars.

The current ordinance goes largely unenforced, officials said.

Mayor John Birkner asked that the Board of Health and Recreation Advisory Board provide more education for residents about the health risks associated with smoking.

Officials also suggested those boards could have money available to purchase new "no smoking" signs, though they may be available for free through the state, depending on whether or not the borough's ordinance meets requirements. Doing so would allow more enforcement of the existing laws in parks where the signs are not already posted.

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