At our meeting on April 22, the Voorhees Township Committee adopted an ordinance that prohibits smoking on all township owned land. Previously, the ban covered only public school property.
Studies have shown that breathing environmental tobacco smoke is a significant health hazard for children, the elderly, and individuals with cardiovascular disease, impaired respiratory function and asthma. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), a class A carcinogen. According to the U.S. Surgeon General 2006 report, SHS aggravates and increases the risk of chronic diseases including asthma, allergies, heart disease, pneumonia, emphysema, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and diabetes.
The Township believes that the general health and well-being of our residents is a top priority and this prohibition benefits everyone. It is in our best interest to refer to all township owned land as “Smoke Free Zones.”
The ordinance bans smoking within the boundaries of any Voorhees Township owned land or any property which is owned, maintained or in the possession of the Township, including all parks, playgrounds, active and passive recreational facilities, the Municipal Complex, Police Department and the Department of Public Works. Any person found to be in violation of this ordinance will be issued a Summons and subject to a fine of $100 to $150 for the first offense, $150 to $250 for the second offense and $300 to $500 for any subsequent offense.
Voorhees is proud to join other local communities, including Cherry Hill, in instituting such a ban to protect the health of our residents, especially our most precious asset, our children.
** The Farmer’s Market returns to the Voorhees Town Center on Saturday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to noon and will operate every Saturday rain or shine through Oct. 5. Vendors will include Duffield’s, Fruitwood, Bellview Winery and more, supplying “Jersey Fresh” and locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, wines and more.
