Great Neck Bans Smoking on Public Sidewalks
January 6, 2011
A village on Long Island's "gold coast" is banning smoking on public sidewalks in front of businesses. Violators could face a $1,000 fine. The Great Neck village board approved the ban Tuesday night. It claims to be the first municipality in the state to enact such a restriction.
Mayor Ralph J. Kreitzman says the ban was enacted after officials got complaints about smokers standing outside stores in the village. He says the law will also benefit pedestrians who might have been subjected to second-hand smoke. Kreitzman says, "I have no problem with people smoking. They just shouldn't do it in a place that harms other people."
See full article at www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/long_island/NY-Village-Smoking-Ban-20110105-apx
Brookhaven Approves Smoking Ban in Parks
December 17, 2010
The Brookhaven Town Board approved a new law last week that prohibits smoking in town-owned parks and recreation areas.
The ban includes all town pools, playgrounds, ball fields, golf courses and cemeteries. Beaches and marinas are exempt from the new law.
Councilwoman Kathy Walsh, who sponsored the bill, said the ban will also minimize littering. “Prolonged exposure to second hand smoke, whether you’re indoors or out, hurts your health,” she said in a statement.
P.J. Tedeschi, a representative for the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island, a Hauppauge-based group that advocates smoking bans, said the town’s policy will “create healthier, cleaner environments and provide a positive role model for children.”
See full article at http://northshoresun.timesreview.com/2010/12/4238/brookhaven-approves-smoking-ban-in-parks
Hempstead Town Votes to Ban Smoking in Parks
November 26, 2010
The Town of Hempstead passed legislation this week banning smoking in its 100 parks, according to Supervisor Kate Murray. The law prohibits smoking in any and all town parks, except in designated areas, which will be away from playing fields and courts, playgrounds, pools and pool decks, concession areas, bleachers, waterfront beach areas and other locations that would subject park patrons to second-hand smoke, said Murray, a Republican from Levittown.
"From swimming and ice skating to basketball, walking and playground activities, Hempstead Town parks are part and parcel of a healthy lifestyle," said Murray in a release. "Restricting smoking at these facilities makes good common sense and protects children and other neighbors from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke."
The Town of Hempstead has the largest population of any town in the country –– more than 750,000 residents. The town government began pursuing legislation to ban smoking in the parks after the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island approached officials earlier this year, and the two sides began talking.
Carol Meschkow, Nassau’s project coordinator for Nassau County, spoke at Town Board meetings on the dangers of second-hand smoke . "The town's exceptional network of parks, playgrounds, beaches and other recreational venues,” Meschkow said, “should be places where families can go to enjoy the outdoors and fresh air and not have to worry about exposure to second-hand smoke, which is a Class-A carcinogen.” Second-hand smoke is particularly harmful to children’s developing lungs, she said.
See full article at www.liherald.com/stories/Hempstead-Town-moves-to-ban-smoking-in-parks,29085?content_source=&category_id=5&search_filter=&