A ban on smoking in parks, playgrounds, ball fields and municipal buildings looks likely to be voted into law next month in the Village of Tuckahoe.
The Board of Trustees Monday night put off a decision until the next meeting on Aug. 20.
At the meeting, the board members were in general agreement on the proposal, but anticipate making some minor tweaks to the language of the law before voting.
The village is weighing a ban on smoking in places where kids gather, but would not curtail tobacco use in public in general.
Mayor Steve Ecklond noted that Tuckahoe’s parks are small, so it would not be hardship for a parent who wants to smoke to step out onto the sidewalk for a cigarette break.
The board also discussed enforcement of the proposed law and heard from the police department that it would be similar to other ordinances, such as drinking in public.
Deputy Mayor Tom Giordano said that while he was initially against smoking bans when they first emerged in New York City and elsewhere, he has come around to the idea because he believes it does cut down on smoking.
“In my mind, I think we’re setting a good example,” he said. “We’d like our residents to be healthy and we’d like our children to develop healthy lifestyles and habits, so I’m behind it 100 percent.”
