TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Georgia's largest public beach could become off limits to smoking next year.

The city council on Tybee Island took its first look at a draft proposal Thursday that would ban tobacco use — including electronic cigarettes — in all beach areas except those specifically exempted by the city manager. Councilman Rob Callahan says smoking in the sand should be banned to eliminate litter from cigarette butts on the beach.

The Savannah Morning News reports (http://bit.ly/1bALGIx ) other council members questioned whether a complete ban was necessary. The proposal was put on hold to see if improving enforcement of Tybee Island's existing litter laws don't solve the problem.

Council members plan to reconsider a smoking ban if the butt problem persists. Callahan says at the earliest it would take effect next year.

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