It’s still okay to light up on Georgia’s largest beach, but that might be changing by this time next year.

The city of Tybee Island decided to put a smoking ban proposal on hold, saying it is too late in the year to get it in place for the upcoming high-traffic season, as well wanting to see if existing litter laws can help address the problem of cigarette butts and other smoking-related trash not ending up in ashtrays or garbage cans. The city is looking at an increased beach patrol presence and hoping those officials will be able to curtail the litter problem, with the plan to revisit the idea of a ban based on the results of that increased enforcement program.

City attorney Bubba Hughes presented a draft of the ban that would prohibit the use of tobacco or nicotine delivery products such as e-cigarettes along the beach as well as in crosswalks, on the Pier and in other city structures that did not have exemptions to allow smoking.

The idea was originally brought up in January by Councilman Rob Callahan who was seeking a way to keep the beach in optimal condition following a renourishment program.

Tybee Island is located about 18 miles east of Savannah on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of just over 3,000 residents.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.