Mayor: Smoking Ban Working, No Tickets in 2 Years

Two years removed from passing a smoking ban that made national headlines, village of Great Neck officials say no citations have been issued as a result of ordinance, but the law is working.

At a village board meeting Tuesday, former North Hempstead Public Safety Commissioner Edward Neidich of Great Neck questioned code enforcement of the ban which outlaws smoking on village sidewalks in front of commercial buildings and in municipal parking lots. The law was passed Jan. 4, 2011. 

"If the law was going to be passed that's fine," said Neidich. "But it bothered me to see all the pats on the back ... when it was foreseeable that no summons would be issued." 

Neidich, a former Brooklyn district attorney, was the longest serving public safety commissioner in North Hempstead history.

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Violators of the law face a fine of up to $1,000, but no tickets have been issued, according to Great Neck Mayor Ralph Kreitzman, who defended passage of the smoking ban which he says has been effective in serving its intended purpose.

"I don't believe that you should fail to pass an appropriate law because it's difficult to enforce," said Kreitzman at village hall.

The mayor said he "loves" when people "make fun of him" for passing the law which has quelled complaints from merchants regarding second-hand smoke coming into their stores from smokers outside.

"These people said we have no problem anymore, so it worked," said Kreiztman.

If people are found to be smoking in front of village businesses appearance tickets will be issued, said Kreitzman. 

Passage of the ordinance made the village the third in the nation and the first in New York State to enact such a law.