Proposed Legislation Would Limit Smoking, Vaping, Handbills And Straws In East Hampton Village

Proposed legislation that would prohibit smoking or vaping, serving drinks with plastic straws, and delivering magazines and booklets to stores on Main Street and Newtown Lane in East Hampton Village all could go into effect after a September 21 public hearing, according to the Village Board, which discussed the matters at a meeting on Friday.

Becky Molinaro Hansen, the village’s administrator, explained that the issue of vaping had recently come to the attention of village officials. “As of now, the current code prohibits smoking on the Main Beach pavilion and within 50 feet of the Herrick Park playground,” she said. The village is considering making vaping a prohibited act, in addition to smoking.

Smoking and vaping would be prohibited on any public property owned by the Village of East Hampton, including village beaches, parking lots, Herrick Park and beach pavilions, Ms. Hansen explained.

Asked whether vaping and smoking will be prohibited on sidewalks, Mr. Hansen said that would “be determined by the board or what happens at the public hearing.”

East Hampton Village could soon be joining the recent crusade against plastic straws. Polystyrene was banned about a month ago, as well as non-recyclable plastic bags. The village is trying to amend the law, adding giving out plastic straws unless they are specifically requested.

“No beverage provider shall distribute a plastic straw to a consumer, unless the consumer specifically requests one,” the proposed law says. Pre-packaged beverages that already have a straw attached would continue to be allowed.

Stacks of magazines, newspapers, booklets and fliers are left in the doorways of shops beginning in the early hours of the morning, raising concerns about their effect on the environment and public safety, according to the Village Board.

The proposed law would allow handbills to be distributed only if someone in authority is willing to accept them, which officials believe would cut down the amount of free reading materials that piles up.

All three public hearings will be held at the 11 a.m. Village Board meeting on September 21 in the Emergency Services Building.