Image by MGN.

CAPE MAY — City Council will revisit the idea of non-smoking beaches next month.

At a Jan. 17 meeting, Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman said he requested from members of City Council, one month ago, their suggestions in writing about reintroducing a non-smoking ordinance for all Cape May’s beaches. He said he received no response from council members.

Wichterman asked City Solicitor Tony Monzo to prepare an ordinance that would ban smoking on the beach but allow it on the Promenade and in city parks. Wichterman asked council introduce the ordinance as soon as possible.
He said his idea of no smoking on the beach was extended to include the Promenade and public parks by Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr., and Councilpersons Deanna Fiocca and William Murray. The ordinance did not pass a vote of council.

Mahaney suggested before time, effort and the “city’s money” was spent preparing a new ordinance, it should be determined if there were three positive votes on council for a new non-smoking ordinance. He said if an ordinance does not pass, it would generate negative publicity for the city such as it experienced last fall.

Wichterman made a motion that Monzo prepare an ordinance banning smoking on Cape May’s beaches. The motion did not receive a second from council.

Councilwoman Terri Swain asked Wichterman if had changed his mind about specifying smoking and non-smoking beaches in the city.
Wichterman said he wanted a total ban on smoking on the beach from the time he introduced the idea last summer. He said he was surprised the ordinance, which banned smoking on beaches, the Promenade and parks, failed to be approved by council.

Wichterman said he had not heard any negative comments from anyone on council prior to the vote. He noted that members of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May spoke at a council meeting suggesting it would keep Canadian tourists away from the city.

“I have since found out that the percentage of Canadians who smoke is now less than it is in the states,” said Wichterman. “Seventeen percent smoke in Canada and 21 percent smoke in the states.”

He said he provided that information to John Cooke, chamber president.
Councilwoman Deanna Fiocca suggested the matter be tabled and be put on the agenda for council’s next work session. She said the opinion of some council members may have changed since the last vote.