Assembly delays vote on ban of smokeless tobacco at schools

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Smokeless tobacco would be banned from public schools in New Jersey under a bill set to get a vote in the Assembly.

A vote in the General Assembly was delayed after the measure was amended on the floor on Thursday.

The measure bars the product in the state’s nearly 600 school districts.

The legislation requires school boards to place a sign in the entrance of each of its schools that indicates smokeless tobacco is banned.

The penalty for a first-time violation of the provision results in a $250 fine and $500 for the second offense. Each time after that carries a $1,000 penalty.