Some of the toughest anti-smoking measures to be adopted in a major city have been approved by councillors in New York.

The measures are set to extend a smoking ban to municipal parks, beaches and even Times Square.

The ban will take effect three months after it is signed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

It will make it an offence to light up in any of the city's 1,700 parks and along 14 miles (23km) of coastline.

"This summer, New Yorkers who go to our parks and beaches for some fresh air and fun will be able to breathe even cleaner air and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts," Mr Bloomberg said after the 36-12 vote.

The ban is set to encompass pedestrian areas like the one in Times Square.

It will give the city's Parks Department the power to impose fines similar to those used for minor offences like begging or public urination. They carry fines of under $100 (£62).

But the city expects the law to be primarily self-enforced, relying on residents to tell anyone lighting up in a park on a beach that it is illegal, one councillor said. Police will not be responsible for enforcing it, she added.

However, some of those councillors who voted against the measures denounced them as an infringement on individual rights.

"I truly believe government is being too restrictive in his particular matter," said Robert Jackson, a Harlem Democrat. "It's a totalitarian society that's going to have this type of restrictions."

Smoking was banned in New York's bars and restaurants nearly a decade ago.

Smoking is also prohibited in Los Angeles city parks and in Chicago parks with playgrounds.

Well this is good...at least from my point of view.




Smoking is also prohibited in Los Angeles city parks and in Chicago parks with playgrounds.

As well as in Los Angeles city restaurants. (In addition to those in the whole state of California...but there are some restaurant owners who seem to ignore that law and try to allow it in the bar.)

It really will not surprise me if tobacco smoking is illegal by the end of the decade.  Definitely by 2030.  Where I live apartment complexes and homeowners associations are banning smoking both indoors and outdoors within the respective apartment complexes or subdivisions.  Its a huge change from the 90s when it was considered "cool" to smoke.  Now if you light up people look at you like you have leprosy.  I am currently battling the habit and its not because I want to quit, its because society is forcing me to.

They should stop smoking altogether,I mean I'm constantly smelling smoke and cigarettes almost all the time,it's so nauseating!  8-P

Simply one more case of the "nanny state" infringing on the rights of all...

Next we will see a ban on farting in public.

Simply one more case of the "nanny state" infringing on the rights of all...

Next we will see a ban on farting in public.
Please read here...

Big stink over Malawi farting ban

I never understood smoking.  You stand there and fill your lungs with smoke.  Man, I wanna be cool too! ::)

When there is a fire in a building, and the Firemen tell you to crawl so you don't inhale smoke, does this apply to Smokers as well? lol

nobody listens anyway they'll smoke till their teeth turn yellow their body smells and hair turns to gray.  ::)

Simply one more case of the "nanny state" infringing on the rights of all...

Next we will see a ban on farting in public.


or sneezing.

Well  smoking is banned at bars inside of course here in New Jersey I think. I''m glad because I don't want inhale second hand smoke!

Banning smoking in parks is going a little far though I feel.

Well  smoking is banned at bars inside of course here in New Jersey I think. I''m glad because I don't want inhale second hand smoke!


It's also banned inside bars in California. I, too, am glad for the same reason as you. The ban took effect in 1998 but some bar and restaurant owners have violated it.

Does this apply to freebasing, or just cigs?
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/happy2.gif

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F69-mcg8p60/SwK7rIthioI/AAAAAAAAAbc/P1TNxiBXt1I/s1600/no_smoking_signsvg.png

It really will not surprise me if tobacco smoking is illegal by the end of the decade.  Definitely by 2030.  Where I live apartment complexes and homeowners associations are banning smoking both indoors and outdoors within the respective apartment complexes or subdivisions.  Its a huge change from the 90s when it was considered "cool" to smoke.  Now if you light up people look at you like you have leprosy.  I am currently battling the habit and its not because I want to quit, its because society is forcing me to.


No surprise that smoking will be the new 18th Amendment!

They should ban smoking,period!

It's also banned inside bars in California. I, too, am glad for the same reason as you. The ban took effect in 1998 but some bar and restaurant owners have violated it.

I was living in Pasadena at the time the first smoking ban laws came into effect and a LOT of people and bars/restaurants were violating it, but once the $150-$275 tickets started getting issued that came to a stop quickly.

Now West Hollywood and Santa Monica are going forward with outdoor smoking bans as well...from LA Examiner...

the smoking ban will cover outdoor sections of restaurants and other public spaces, as well as create a “no-smoking buffer zone” of 5 feet around those areas. The goal is to protect diners from being exposed to unnecessary second hand smoke. The council is also encouraging local hotels to create similar plans for their poolside areas.

More of that story here: City of West Hollywood votes in favor of smoking ban

Here in Long Beach, CA you can't smoke within 30 feet of even a bus stop, so they're getting serious about smoking in CA. ::)

I was a smoker for about 5-6 years during the mid 90's, so do I have some empathy for smokers, but I don't really want smoking in public areas, but I think there should be still someplace for smokers to be able to smoke, at least outside, in designated areas. Banning outside smoking is getting a bit ridiculous...