Updated: Thursday, 06 Jan 2011, 8:27 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 05 Jan 2011, 11:57 AM EST
GREAT NECK, N.Y. - 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."
Kreitzman tells Fox 5 that, despite the hefty fines violators could face, the ban is not an attempt to raise money for the village.
The mayor says code enforcement agents will be out to look for violations and he hopes the police will also help with enforcement.
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