Smoking On Beaches: ME Gray Beach

Gray may prohibit smoking at beach

July 18, 2006
ANN S. KIM

Smokers would no longer be allowed to light up at Wilkies Beach in Gray or on other town property under a proposal that goes before the Town Council tonight.

The measure would bar the use of tobacco products at facilities used or owned by the town. The public will have a chance to comment on the measure at tonight’s meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in Stimson Hall.

The proposed ban was prompted by health concerns about tobacco use and secondhand smoke as well as litter problems.

Wilkies Beach on Crystal Lake is a popular daytime destination for families with children and day camp programs. Teenagers and a more adult crowd show up in the evenings.

The beach has had a problem with cigarette butts despite the presence of disposal receptacles, said Dean Bennett, the town’s recreation director.

“Our beach attendants that oversee the beach are constantly picking up butts from the grounds,” he said.

If the Town Council approves the ban, it wouldn’t be implemented until next summer, Bennett said, which would provide time to educate people.

Town staffers would ask violators to stop and could ask them to leave the property if they persist in smoking, Bennett said.

The beach is the biggest area of concern, but the town also has received complaints about smoking at Little League games.

Areas that would be affected by the ban include the Newbegin Center, which has a basketball court, an outdoor volleyball court and a picnic area; and the town trails on Libby Hill.

Town Council Chairman Gary Foster said he was not a strong supporter of the ban, but that he probably would vote for it if it would clean up the beach. While he thinks it’s a good idea to prohibit smoking on municipal property generally, Foster said he was less sure about smoking in outdoor areas as long as people weren’t being bothered.

Councilor Julie DeRoche, a smoker herself, said the ban was an excellent idea. In addition to the littering problem, DeRoche said she was concerned about secondhand smoke and the large number of children who might be influenced to start the habit by smokers around them.