MONMOUTH COUNTY
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With the summer season in full swing, Tobacco-Free for a Healthy New Jersey (TFHNJ) is taking its message to the shoreline with a bold visual campaign to remind residents and visitors alike: New Jersey’s parks and beaches are smoke-free.
The “
No Butts on the Beach
” campaign officially launched on June 26 with a high-impact kickoff event at Bradley Park in Asbury Park. The event featured a striking 20-foot inflatable cigarette butt planted in a makeshift sandy beach scene on a flatbed truck — complete with beach chairs and umbrellas — symbolizing the impact of tobacco litter on our shorelines.
Youth from TFHNJ’s program joined regional coordinators and local officials, including Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, to sweep the beach for cigarette butts and educate the public. Volunteers distributed “Breathe Easy” feather banner flags to representatives from beach towns across the Jersey Shore to help clearly mark smoke-free zones.
“Secondhand smoke is not just a nuisance—it’s a serious health hazard,” said Ashley Smith, Regional Prevention Coordinator with TFHNJ. “Through this campaign, we’re empowering young people, communities, and local leaders to protect the health and natural beauty of our public beaches.”
New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act, originally passed in 2006 and expanded in 2018, prohibits smoking and vaping in all public parks and beaches. Despite these laws, tobacco litter continues to be a persistent problem. During Clean Ocean Action’s 2017 beach sweep, volunteers collected over 29,000 cigarette butts, along with thousands of related items like lighters and cigar tips.
The campaign not only raises awareness of existing laws but also offers free resources to municipalities, including signage and 10-foot “Breathe Easy” beach flags. These highly visible reminders reinforce the message that public beaches are no-smoking zones—for everyone’s health and enjoyment.
For more information about the campaign or if you are a municipality interested in beach flags, visit
tobaccofreenj.com/smokefreeair
