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New York quality of life is dropping - and the blame is on Mayor Bloomberg's smoking ban. The Post reports that cops, business owners, and weary residents are sick of the fights, mini-parties on the streets, and pedestrian harrassment that seem after effects of no more smoking the bars. Some of the complaints:
* Noise levels on the sidewalks have increased, keeping residents awake.
* Throngs of smokers outside bars have created inescapable secondhand smoke clouds for passers-by.
* Smoker-filled sidewalks are causing congestion and often force pedestrians into the streets.
* Smoke wafts up into open windows of apartments above bars and restaurants.
* Cigarettes litter the streets.
In related news, the Oak Bar at the Plaza apparently hasn't been following the new regulations. There are still ash trays on tables and bartenders give out matchbooks readily.
Gothamist has a soft spot in its heart for the Oak Bar - a pivotal early scene of North by Northwest takes place there.
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yup- the smoking ban was a pretty bad idea. i guess it works in LA because there really isn't a street to stand on outside most bars, and even if you did go outside, there isn't anyone else out there, and no apartments or anything above the bars to pollute with your smoke.
what bloomberg has done is move the risk of secondhand smoke from the bar employees to the residents living near the bar- which is insane. presumably, the bar employees have much more mobility than the residents, and could find a job in a less smokey environment. the residents have no such option, especially if their apartment is rent-controlled or if they own it.
Yeah, I have to say, I've found the ban really annoying as well. When I lived in San Francisco it didn't seem as problematic, perhaps because less people smoke and/or there are less bars? I find I often end up walking in the street or crossing to the other side to avoid the packs of smokers on the sidewalk and the gangs of fratboys hanging in front of sports bars, yelling and obviously drunk, in the middle of a Saturday afternoon.
The smoking ban has turned all the bars inside-out and now everyone is forced to suffer the smoke and behaviors that once were contained within.
Since Jake seems to be overly modest or forgetful, I will point out for him that he predicted this phenomenon weeks ago.
I live in the E. vill, got restaurants, bars, everything on my block, smoky, crowded, since the ban, etc., but you know what? clean air in bars and restaurants is really frickin nice. I enjoy the new peace of air when I go out! and I was a long time smoker, folks. the truth is, the longer you live in this city, the more of a lungful you take in outside-- it's always been that way, particularly back when everyone on the street smoked! my point exactly? I don't know, just that the ban was bound to happen, and it ain't that bad.
I don't mind the smoking ban so far. I find myself staying a lot longer at bars and clubs since I can actually breathe in them. And it's not so bad getting home and not smelling like a bowling alley or waking up with crazy nasal congestion action I used to get. And no burn marks on my skin or clothes.
Since the ban, sidewalks are more comfortable to walk on during the day. The piles of cigarette butts on the sidewalks outside bars and restaurants are like a cancerlicious cushion over the pavement...