New York City bans smoking in parks and, well, basically everywhere

Live in NYC? Like your lungs? Now you can like them a lot more in public places. Live in NYC and smoke? Too bad

By Adam Clark Estes

Published February 2, 2011 11:03PM (EST)

An artist's rendition of the days when you could still smoke in New York City bars.
An artist's rendition of the days when you could still smoke in New York City bars.

First, the revolting posters of blackened lungs, clogged arteries and rotten teeth in bodegas, now this?

New York City lawmakers passed legislation yesterday that bans smoking in public parks, beaches and Times Square. The ban takes effect 90 days after Mayor Bloomberg signs the bill -- which could take ages as he's a busy man. Affected areas include: 1,700 parks, 14 miles of public beaches and surrounding plazas, boardwalks, etc. And Times Square. All of it.

A long eight years after the initial smoking ban in bars and restaurants, this latest measure will please health nuts and increase the number citations written out for NYU undergrads misbehaving in Tompkins Square Park. But the NYPD didn't have enough to do anyways, right?


By Adam Clark Estes

Adam Clark Estes blogs the news for Salon. Email him at ace@salon.com and follow him on Twitter @adamclarkestes

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