spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

New York City would expand its ban on smoking in indoor workplaces to outdoor venues including public parks and beaches under a proposed law backed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council leaders.

The mayor, joined by Council Speaker Christine Quinn and representatives from the American Cancer Society, said the bill would extend the Smoke Free Air Act, a 2002 law that banned smoking from offices, bars, restaurants and playgrounds in an effort to protect people from the harmful effects of secondhand exposure.

“The science is clear: prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke -- whether you’re indoors or out -- hurts your health,” Bloomberg said in remarks prepared for a City Hall news conference. “Today, we’re doing something about it.”

The mayor, 68, has targeted tobacco use as both a public official and philanthropist, with restrictive city laws, a combined $4.50-per-pack state and city tax increase, and at least $375 million in private donations to worldwide smoking cessation programs since 2005.

In 2008, a city Health Department survey found that the measures had helped reduce cigarette smoking among teenagers by half, to about one out of 12 high school students, compared with 23 percent nationally.

Smoking Drops

The mayor’s office reported in September 2009 that anti- smoking measures had helped reduce adult smoking to 15.8 percent of the city population in 2009, from 21.7 percent in the three years before he took office in 2002.

“Cigarettes kill some 7,500 New Yorkers every year, and thousands more suffer smoking-related strokes, heart attacks, lung diseases and cancers,” city Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said at the news conference. “By expanding the act to cover parks and beaches, we can reduce the toll even further.”

Violators of the proposed law, which would also cover boardwalks, marinas and pedestrian plazas such as that found near Times Square, would face a quality-of-life violation carrying a fine of about $50, said Jessica Scaperotti, a spokeswoman for the mayor. The Parks Department will enforce the law, she said. Smokers may continue to light up on public sidewalks and in parking lots, she said.

Message edited 9/20/2010 8:48:37 AM.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

As a non smoker, I can't say I don't like this. It will just make my life more pleasant. I absolutely hate having to walk through people's plumes of smoke or stand around next to it.

I'm sure all the smokers in NY are not going to be too happy about it though.

Message edited 9/20/2010 9:03:42 AM.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

why don't they just outlaw it completely except in "smoking bars" and "smoking apartments" i mean its getting a bit insane with all these you can'ts all over the place.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

As a non-smoker, I think this is great and wish that they would ban it everywhere!

But I wonder does this violate smoker's civil liberties and their right to contaminate themselves?

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

As a non-smoker I find this a tad bit ridiculous. But whatever. I wont complain because it benefits me & my kid. But come on... really.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

I am a Non- Smoker and this is great for me and my family as this year was pretty bad for us when going to the beach with my DD because peoples smoke was blowing in our faces and it is hard to enjoy the fresh air at the beach or a park. Also I can not stand when people put their butts in the sand and pollute the beach. Now like I said I am a non- smoker, but I feel that since smoking legal, that smokers should be able to have designated areas along the beach and boardwalks because to walk back to the Parking lot just to smoke a cigarette is crazy..so I feel that is very unfair.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

I am a non-smoker and find this to be a bit silly. Of course I will be thrilled at fact that I can go to these places and not worry about second-hand smoke, but if people choose to smoke, I feel like they should be able to do so. I think they should just section off smoking areas that it is legal to smoke in, and that will make everyone happy.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

As someone who is highly allergic to cigarette smoke, in addition to a ton of other things, I would love it if they did this.

I don't think people shouldn't have the right to smoke... but if they could find a way to designate better smoking areas then that would really help.

I think people should be able to do what they want to their own bodies as long as it doesn't affect other people. It's a little unfair to me when I have to walk through a cloud of smoke to get somewhere... and then have to go to the doctor because of the allergic reaction.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

I don't know why they just don't ban it everywhere and be done with it, this is getting silly
I do hope that this stops people from smoking on playgrounds, I don't care if you smoke and where you smoke, but I hate it when people smoke on playgrounds around kids (what does it take to at least step away from everyone KWIM?)

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

It is getting a little silly. I get the point for health purposes, but I think the mayor should really ALSO look into and put as much focus into the pollution that we are breathing in from all the cars and trucks every day. Theres days im crossing the street in nyc and getting fumes from a diesel truck blown in my direction. I mean whats worse in cases like that? Cigarette smoking or whatever the heck is coming out of the truck that Im breathing in?

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

i think its awesome

i just wish they would enforce it a bit more

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Im a non smoker and I think its a great idea... Unfortunately not everyone is considerate when it comes to smoking even in open areas like a beach and a park. Smoke travels, go somewhere where you are away from the public, its not fair to have smoke blowing all over my face. I can see why smokers would get upset however, but they should have a designated area for smokers...

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Im a smoker and I get it. Am I happy about it, of course not, but then again, Im a considerate smoker anyway. I dont smoke around children, I will excuse myself to have a cigarette, but to outright ban it, OUTSIDE is ridiculous. However, I would be OK with designated smoking areas....I think that is fair.

I think it does cross a line at some point and to outright ban it outside is ridiculous.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

I think this is great. I'm sick of hearing about "smokers rights"... what about my right to not breath in second hand smoke? Even with the open air you are still breathing in all those nasty chemicals.
I am an ex smoker for 9 years.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Non-smoker here (altho occassional drink smoker).... and i just cant believe how many places they want to ban smoking at... its really unfair for those who do smoke on a daily basis.... you CAN be considerate while smoking... staying away from children etc... some people of course dont always care, but its truly unfair to those that ARE careful where their smoke blows

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

I am a non-smoker and would love a smoke-free world, but this is going too far IMHO. Honestly, there are so many other issues out there to worry about (how about the homeless, mayor bloomberg?)

I can see banning allowin smokers to congegate near entrances to office buildings, but park benches? c'mon!

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

I think it's a great idea!
I hate walking into someone's smoke cloud

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

As a (now) non smoker with a DS and twins on the way. Yippee! There is nothing more disgusting than my kid finding a cigarette butt while digging a hole in the sand. Or playing on the playground and having clouds of second hand smoke floating around your head as your kid plays, yuck.

As a non smoker who smoked for 10 years....I could see how that would really pizz off smokers.

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

if they ban smoking in parks i hope they the guy drinking the 40 next to me..

i think its so stupid..yes certain places shoud be banned but this is just out of control

Re: spinoff to smoking (sorry if this was already posted) New York City Law Would Extend Smoking Ban to Public Parks and Beaches

Message edited 9/22/2010 10:39:21 AM.