Ridgewood Extends Smoking Ban to School Sidewalks

A previously passed smoking ban in Ridgewood now extends to all sidewalks along Board of Education properties, including schools and playing fields, NorthJersey.com reported. The ban had already prohibited smoking in village parks.

According to the report, village officials decided not to include sidewalks outside Valley Hospital in its new ordinance.

Village councilman Tom Riche has said he opposes the ban on sidewalk smoking because he does not think the Police Department can effectively enforce it, the report said. Riche has also said the village might be encroaching on an individual's right to smoke, the report said.

"I remain committed that we should have less smoking, but I think this is a personal rights issue that we should not enforce," Riche told NorthJersey.com.

In terms of enforcement, the report quoted Mayor Paul Aronsohn as saying once residents know about the new law, they will follow it.