New York Village Bans Smoking on Public Sidewalks

GREAT NECK, N.Y. -- A tiny village on Long Island's "gold coast" is banning smoking on public sidewalks.

The Great Neck village board approved the ban at a meeting 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 violators found smoking on sidewalks in the 1.2-square-mile village could face fines of up to $1,000.

Neighboring New York City is currently considering a smoking ban in parks and pedestrian plazas.