POLL: Should Port Chester Ban Smoking In Open-Air Spaces?

Should Port Chester ban smoking in open-air public spaces like parks and plazas?

According to the Port Chester Community Cares Coalition Youth Committee, the answer is yes.

Citing data from a school survey, five Port Chester High School students said they believe the parks are "underutilized because of people smoking in them." Prohibiting smoking in parks would eliminate the possibility of second-hand smoke for people using the parks, and parks staff wouldn't have the extra burden of cleaning up discarded cigarettes, junior Kyle Thomas told trustees.

The group cited existing laws in cities like White Plains, where smokers can be fined for puffing in public spots: $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second, and $75 for each subsequent offense.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to refer the plan to the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Mayor Dennis Pilla said the proposal "makes sense to me," and other trustees complimented the students for their work on the presentation.

The lone dissenting voice came from Trustee Sam Terenzi, who seemed to doubt cigarette smoke was the reason kids aren't using local parks. Waxing nostalgic, Terenzi said in his day there would be "18 kids playing baseball" in any village park on a sunny afternoon.

"It's amazing how times have changed," he said.

CORRECTION: This story originally identified PCHS student Kyle Thomas as a senior. Thomas is a junior.