East Brunswick, NJ Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

The rule sits in Chapter 158, Parks and Public Lands, and was added on March 18, 2013 by Ord. No. 13-10. It is short and sweeping: the only place to smoke on Township public land is a spot the Township has specifically designated and suitably equipped for smoking. Section 158-2 defines public land as any land which the Township owns, or controls by lease, easement or other conveyance, so land held under a lease or easement is covered even when the Township does not hold title.

The definition of smoking in § 158-2 is broad. It covers the burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from, or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter or substance that can be smoked. It also covers inhaling or exhaling smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device, and that term includes an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo or pipe. A lit cigarette held in the hand is smoking under this definition, and so is vaping.

The street carve-out is narrow. Public streets and highways as defined in Title 39 of New Jersey's Revised Statutes, including any sidewalks abutting them, are not public land for purposes of this section only. A pedestrian on such a sidewalk is outside § 158-13.1. A visitor in a Township park, on a Township field or on other Township land is inside it.

Other smoking rules in the same chapter are separate. Section 158-3(G) prohibits smoking in an indoor public place and anywhere in or on the grounds of a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school. It also sets a 50 foot buffer at athletic and recreational events on school property where any participant is 18 or younger, and it names the courtyard at the municipal complex between the municipal building and the library, including the Veterans' Memorial and the walkways to the parking lots, as a prohibited smoking area.