Just a few days into May, a new bill has been approved that will ban smoking in parks and on beaches in New Jersey.

The bill was approved by the state Senate committee and prohibits smoking in any state, county, and local parks and on all of New Jersey’s beaches.

Some of these densely packed beaches in New Jersey can draw more than one million people in a single day. However, many of those who are non-smokers do not want to be bothered by second-hand smoke and all the discarded cigarette butts that tend to litter public spaces.

“This legislation will not only help us all breathe easier but it will also help to protect parks and beaches from damages and fires caused by careless smokers,” Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said. “We believe banning smoking in public parks and beaches is an important step forward for the environment and our health,” Tittel said, who testified for the bill.

According to NJ.com, the new bill exempts golf courses, and communities will still be allowed to reserve 15% of their property for a designated smoking section.

“That is fair enough, considering we only have 15% (of New Jersey residents) or so who are continuing this unhealthy habit,” state Senator Shirley Turner, who sponsored the new bill, said.

Some were pleased that the bill made exceptions to an all-out ban.

“I’ve never had a cigarette in my life,” Senator Robert Gordon said. “It’s important to have 15%.”

The new bill passed the Senior Citizens Committee, Human Services, and the Senate Health by an 8-0 vote, and now heads to the full Senate for more consideration.

According to NJ Spotlight, the new smoking laws aren’t just targeting cigarette smokers but electronic smokers as well.

During the second week of May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will publish new rules that require electronic cigarettes and other smokeless devices to meet the same federal regulations that govern cigarettes.

“At last,” Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, said, “the Food and Drug Administration will have basic authority to make science-based decisions that will protect our nation’s youth and the public health from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah.”