NJ College Smoking Ban Bill Advances

A legislative committee advanced a bill Thursday that would make New Jersey the latest state to ban smoking everywhere on college campuses.

The bill would amend the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to prohibit smoking in and around any facility, building or grounds of all public or private institutions of higher education in the state.

Assembly Democrat Celeste Riley, a bill sponsor, saying expanding the smoking ban to campuses makes sense both health-wise and from a fiscal standpoint.

The American Lung Association says more than 1,000 college campuses have adopted tobacco-free or smoke-free policies in recent years.

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