Nothing like a little tabloid hysteria to go and get things banned. The Daily News, which has been on a weeklong war against synthetic marijuana is now happily crowing that the New York State Department of Health is getting ready to ban the stuff statewide. Like, today. more ›

Pot-loving Euro-trippers, start checking Priceline if you want one final hurrah in Dutch "coffeeshops"—the Netherlands are poised to start banning tourists from cannabis-selling cafes with the goal of "combating drug tourism and the accompanying public nuisance." What will Woody Harrelson do?! more ›

Mayor Bloomberg has been on an Ahab-like quest to ban people from buying sodas and sugary drinks with food stamps; but yesterday, his white whale slipped away once again when federal officials rejected the proposed ban. And Bloomberg was pissed: "We think our innovative pilot would have done more to protect people from the crippling effects of preventable illnesses like diabetes and obesity than anything else being proposed anywhere else in the country -- and at little or no cost to taxpayers," Bloomberg said. more ›

Back in the day, hookah bars were a popular alternative for underage thrill-seekers—wooing young crowds with sultry design schemes and the opportunity to do something that wasn't illegal but still seemed illicit. Oh, and old Middle Eastern guys did it all the time, too. But as the Gray Lady just learned, apparently hookahs aren't so good for your insides, and lawmakers aren't pleased. more ›

With rising prices of cigarettes—and, you know, the health risks that come with puffing them down—some of the city's smokers have turned to e-cigarettes... but those may be banned before the real thing! CBS NY reports that New York could become the first state to ban electronic cigarettes. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal of Manhattan says e-cigarettes need to be studied first, and currently carry no warning labels. She's concerned about the nicotine in the vapor-emitting e-cigs, and also that "most are made in China and other countries where the safety of products isn’t well regulated." more ›

Libraries are sticklers for their rules—and they have a lot of rules—but check out the latest one at the Yonkers Public Library: NO BALLOONS. While bringing a balloon to the library doesn't seem to be a trend here in the city, it was apparently a thing in Yonkers if enough people were bringing balloons to necessitate this sign. We've contacted the New York Public Library to see if balloons are banned in their branches, or if they'd consider such a ban, and have asked for a list of all banned items from the main branch on 5th and 42nd (if a previous visit there taught us anything, this list will probably include croissants). Stay tuned! [via Scouting NY] more ›

Last month locals called bullshit on the new ban closing parts of Newtown Creek to kayakers and other brave folk willing to find fun in the Superfunded body of water. Now they've got some backup in high places, we're told that Assemblyman Joe Lentol and Councilman Stephen Levin blasted the new and unnecessary ban on recreational boating in Newtown Creek. They will allegedly both testify at tonight's hearing with the Department of Environmental Protection on the issue, encouraging the ban to be lifted. In a letter, they wrote: more ›

There is no joy in Mudville today: it is the last day that NY retailers can receive shipments of Four Loko, the frothy alco-caffeinated drink of kings blacked-out college hooligans. After today, retailers can still sell off their remaining stock, but there can be no more purchases from the Loko company, who have already promised to neuter the sweetly-sickening beverage by removing the caffeine in the future. Loko followers are upset, and have begun demanding answers from their deities: "Sometimes people need a drink and a little energy boost at the same time," Maria Perez, 24, told the News. Because who among us haven't wanted to get wasted while half-asleep? He that is without Loko among you, let him cast the first stone. more ›

When the Four Loko ban was going down (four days to go!), we had ourselves a good laugh with some "What next? Banning energy drinks/making everyone drink nothing but warm milk?" jokes. But we've learned our lesson, because apparently even thinking such ridiculous things turns them into terrifying realities. A proposal is currently in front of Suffolk County Legislature that could ban anyone 19 and under from buying energy drinks—just regular, non-alcoholic energy drinks, that never hurt anybody. (Oh, wait.) more ›

Don't want to see rats in the subway system? Stop feeding them! Senator Bill Perkins reminds: "Rats don't grow the food that they eat on the subway, and they don't buy it, either. We as customers, unfortunately, are the ones that are feeding, and thereby breeding the rodent infestation problem we have." Perkins has been rallying for a ban on food in the subway system, and now NY1 visits his fears that MTA budget cuts, and no food ban, could lead to a real ratdemic. more ›

We've been spiraling deeper and deeper into a depression ever since the FDA demanded that Four Loko cut off its nose to spite its face by removing all the caffeine from its deliciously disgusting jolly rancher by-way-of urine brew. Some store owners have said that they have been stocking up on the beverage, and plan on selling out their remaining cans after the ban in two weeks, provided that they received the shipment beforehand. But according to the News, the FDA now says that the drink should be "completely removed" from store shelves by Dec. 13. more ›

While some are responding to the imminent neutering of beloved alco-caffeinated-sugarcrap drink Four Loko with singsong candle-lit vigils, others are just plain freaking out. A bunch of NYU Local student reporters (including our own Zoe Schlanger) went around their neighborhood interviewing bodega owners about the impending ban on the life-affirmingly vile beverage. more ›

With Newtown Creek officially a Superfund site now, the Department of Environmental Protection has closed off the waterway to boats, kayaks, and the like. But the people have spoken, and they want their polluted waters to remain open for recreation! According to the Brooklyn Paper, the EPA claims its a "short-term ban" that will remain in place until the state can analyze the water quality. A DEP official said the decision was made out of “an abundance of caution” with regards to public health. more ›

In order to raise teenagers' awareness of breast cancer, the Keep-A-Breast foundation began selling "I [heart] Boobies!" rubber bracelets for $3.99 on their website, and for some reason they're really popular with the youths! Perhaps the teens are just really concerned about breast cancer, which is why it's so troubling that numerous schools are banning the bands. Nine schools in the West Islip school district banned the bracelets in September, but now it's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the kids can't show their support. District spokeswoman Nancy Lenz told Newsday (paywall), "We just don't like the wording. We think it's inappropriate for children." Would "I [heart] Breasts" be any better? more ›

Okay, so we know the slow speeds that some buses travel at don't make for the most enthralling ride ever, but when drivers start furtively texting under the wheel—while driving—like high school students under their desks, you know there's a problem. A Brooklyn bus rider nabbed a snapshot of her B47 driver with his Screen of Distraction on Wednesday night. She told NY1, "He never put the phone away to put two hands on the wheel. He drove with one hand on the wheel, while holding the phone in his other hand." more ›

The Georgi Vodka ads that were banned from city buses back in 2006 eventually returned a year later—but now they're being removed again, at least in some Brooklyn neighborhoods. The company's ads have consistently featured a bikini-clad butt, and back during the first ban of aught six, Georgi CEO Martin Silver admitted it was his daughter Laurie's butt, relaying this charming anecdote: "Best buns in the city. Her friends call her 'Buns' now." It's unclear whether or not "Buns" was featured in the new ads being pulled, which show a similar bikini-clad butt sitting in the sand. The MTA's Aaron Donovan told us this morning:

"At the request of community leaders, the Georgi vodka ads were removed from buses that are likely to serve Brooklyn's Hasidic neighborhoods. It has been our longstanding practice, when and where possible, to be sensitive to neighborhood concerns about potentially suggestive advertising. Although it is not always practicable, we try to limit more suggestive ads upon neighborhood request."

The Department of Education is just saying "no" to sexting! And cyberbullying, for that matter. According to the Daily News, public school kids will be banned from the controversial means of communication, even when they're off school grounds. Under the proposed rules, kids will face 90 day suspensions if they're caught in the act. Bayside High School PTA President David Solano said that they need to take control, because "it comes down to the fact that these kids are just lawless." However, the NYCLU's Donna Lieberman supports kids' right to sext, and believes these new rules could end up punishing kids for "harmless love notes." more ›

After much protest, and some claiming their sound can cause brain damage, the helicopter nightmare over Brooklyn may be coming to an end. According to the Brooklyn Paper the city instituted a no-fly zone over the entire borough today. The move will eliminate 30% of sightseeing helicopters, that often fly over for aerial views of DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, as well as ban them from flying below 1,500 feet. There will be no short tours allowed, and no sightseeing over Brooklyn or the Brooklyn Bridge. more ›

Back in January, health crusader Mayor Bloomberg launched a "voluntary" initiative encouraging fast food joints like Subway and supermarket chains like Food Emporium to cut the salt in hundreds of store brand products. The Salt Institute was outraged, Curtis Sliwa drank salt in protest, and panicked New Yorkers began hoarding salt in earnest (not really). But the initiative was voluntary, and lacked a certain, shall we say, despotism. Well, according to Reason's blog, NY Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn) is kicking it up a notch by proposing a law fully banning "the use of salt by restaurants in the preparation of food." Now that's some hardcore legislating, or should we say legisalting? (Sorry.) more ›

In sight of dangerously low levels at the city’s blood banks, some NY politicians want to lift a federal ban on blood donation by gay males. Ever-resourceful U.S. Rep. Anthony Wiener said today that the regulation, which was put into place in 1983 for gay men, regardless of whether they were HIV positive, is outdated, ignorant and due for repeal. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and 18 other U.S. senators are also not afraid of catching something, reports the AP. The FDA fired back: "while FDA appreciates concerns about perceived discrimination, our decision to maintain the deferral policy is based on current science and data." It added that the "hemophilia community" opposes changing the policy. more ›

Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin have been pushed to the brink of extinction in the past half century, with stocks declining by more than 60 percent in the last decade alone. Today the Times editorial board praised President Obama for endorsing a ban on international bluefin trade, and urged the administration to "use all of its influence to get the European Union and others to follow." Two-thirds of the members must support the ban for it to pass this month, but Japan, where bluefin is "the crown jewel of sushi," is fighting back. Fisheries minister Masahiko Yamada has vowed to "lodge reservations," and many in Japan think say this is just the latest instance of "Japan-bashing." more ›

In the past year we've seen a Ralph Lauren model get warped into a bobblehead; Demi Moore get part of her hip shaved off; a Real Houswife get a digital face transplant; and in a rare reverse-distortion, Christina Hendricks was called a "big girl" in a NY Times article which ran an enlarged image of the actress. Most recently, a size 4 model spoke out in hopes of the fashion industry changing their ways and embracing healthier images. more ›

Feds are moving to keep the Burmese python and eight other large slithering species out of the United States, and specifically out of JFK. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the airport ban is important since New York is the biggest entry point to the U.S. for imported wildlife, reported AP. People bring snakes in as the pets, but often end up releasing them into the wild where they wreak havoc on delicate ecosystems like Florida's Everglades. Also on the chopping block are Indian pythons, Northern African pythons, Southern African pythons, reticulated pythons, boa constrictors and four species of anacondas. Before a final decision is made, the proposal will be open to a public hearing. more ›

Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined health care advocates at City Hall today to defend a law passed last year that bans the sale of most forms of flavored tobacco product. In December, the city was hit with a lawsuit from a coalition of smokeless tobacco companies, claiming that "the FDA is the only agency with the right combination of scientific expertise, regulatory experience and public-health mission to oversee these [tobacco] products effectively." The lawsuit also argues that the NYC law violates federal law, which "does not permit a municipality to impose such sweeping regulation of tobacco products." more ›