Newburgh is officially making moves in the Hudson Valley this spring. Following in the wake of the plastic bag bans in multiple local counties, the Orange County city hops on the eco-friendly bandwagon with a new smoking ban that seeks to eliminate outdoor smoking completely.
Beginning on May 1, outdoor smoking in public places throughout the City of Newburgh will result in a fine for anyone caught in the act. According to the City’s meeting minutes from March 11, the day the motion was approved, locations of focus include city parks, outdoor dining and recreation areas, city-owned properties, and outdoor events. In other words, this means everywhere from Downing Park and the Lily Street Tennis Courts to the area around Newburgh’s riverside dining scene and at festivals like Newburgh Illuminated will be smoke-free spaces. In regard to the dining and smoking restrictions, the city declares that any licensee or permit holder for outdoor dining or events on city-owned property must post signs to notify visitors of the ban.
While the new legislation, which is supported by both the City of Newburgh and the Clean Indoor Air Act, aims to reduce litter throughout the community, it also works to minimize cigarette use overall. Notably, it’s an ordinance that unanimously passed after its introduction during a public hearing on February 25 prompted it to be pushed to the desks of local lawmakers.
Once the ban goes into effect on May 1, it will introduce three tiers of fines for individuals who violate it. On the first offense, those caught will have to pay $50. After that, second-time offenders will receive a $100 fine, with all additional offensives costing $250 apiece.
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