Village Bans Smoking in Parts of Herrick Park, Main Beach

You'll have to find somewhere else for a cigarette break if you smoke at the Main Beach Pavilion or in Herrick Park.

At an East Hampton Village Board meeting on Friday morning, the board adopted a resolution that amends the Peace and Good Order law to prohibit smoking in certain public places that are frequented by children and families.

Smoking, including a cigarette, pipe, or "similar smoking substance," is prohibited within 50 feet of any playground equipment in the park or on the deck of the beach pavilion, such as at the concession stand, shower areas, ramps, and cabanas.

Deputy Mayor Barbara Borsack said earlier, "We thought those two places made sense and we'll see how it goes. Enforcement is always a challenge with these kinds of things."

Fines will be $250.

No members of the public spoke out for or against the initiative during the public hearing.

The amendment was proposed after the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island presented information in March on the benefits of adopting tobacco free outdoor policies in places such as beaches, entrances to municipal buildings, playgrounds, and parks.

TAC is one of 34 groups funded by the State Department of Health's Tobacco Control Program. It believes tobacco litter is poisonous and puts children, pets and wildlife at risk, and list environmental, such as cigarette butts not properly put out causing fires and clean up of tobacco litter as being costly to taxpayers, and the known health risks associated with secondhand smoke.

"Outdoor recreational areas should be places that people can breath fresh air and exercise smoke free," the organization writes in its message. "Tobacco free policies reduce secondhand smoke exposure and eliminate cigarette butts so families can enjoy outdoor activities in a healthy environment."

In a letter to Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. in January, PJ Tedeschi, the Suffolk Project Coordinator with the coalition, said Hempstead and Brookhaven Towns, and Southampton, Westbury, Valley Stream and Great Neck Villages had joined more than 200 municipalities in the state for enacting such policies.

The law references the United States Environmental Protection Agency's determination that secondhand tobacco smoke is a Class A carcinogen. "The smells caused by those who smoke tobacco products and the litter caused by those who improperly dispose of cigarette butts can significantly reduce the enjoyment for those individuals and families that want to enjoy a healthy environment free of smoking-related polution," it reads.

Rickenbach was present at the meeting on Wednesday, but the vote passed unanimously amongst the four other board members.