A tipster says she got a $50 ticket for smoking in Washington Square Park. "I really feel like this news should be out there because IT IS RIDICULOUS & people should know."
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Results tagged “smokingban”
Smoker Actually Got Ticket For Smoking In Washington Square Park
Tobacco Enthusiasts Question The City's Decline In Smokers
Yesterday, the city proudly trumpeted the fact that the number of smokers in the city has declined by a whopping 35 percent since 2002. But not everyone is buying what the city is selling. "While I can't claim to know what the actual adult smoking rate is," smokers rights activist Audrey Silk told us, "neither can they."
NYC's Smoking Population Shrinks To 14%
Since taking office in 2002 Mayor Bloomberg has made one of his pet projects getting everyone in the city to quit smoking. He's brought smoking bans to bars, raised cigarette taxes, had the city run big anti-smoking media campaigns, raised cigarette taxes more, given away free patches and nicotine gum, and added smoking bans to our parks and beaches. And guess what? As far as the city is concerned, it has been working like gangbusters. Today the city announced that smoking in the city is at the lowest point on record. Since 2002 the number of adult smokers has declined 35 percent to just 14 percent. That's nearly half a million fewer smokers. Someday the only smokers left will be in cages at the Central Park Zoo.
Smoking Ban On LIRR, Metro-North Platforms Becomes Law
You've got just 90 days left to kill time by killing yourself while waiting for a train on LIRR and Metro-North platforms. Smoking is already verboten on NYC subway platforms, even in if they're outside, and today Governor Cuomo signed into law new smoking prohibitions that expand the existing smoking ban to outdoor ticketing, boarding or platform areas of railroad stations operated by the MTA or its subsidiaries.
Outdoor Smoking Ban More Popular In Theory Than Practice
It has been a few months since the City Council's ban on smoking in parks and beaches kicked in. So how's it doing? Mixed. The number of tickets written is still holding steady at one and New Yorkers, according to the latest Marist Poll [PDF], are not entirely unanimous in their thoughts on the ban. While most New Yorkers like the idea of butt-free parks they aren't sure if it is working. Still, a majority of them would recommend other cities give it a puff.
Banning Smoking In Condos: So Hot Right Now
Cigarette smokers have been cast out from our parks, beaches, boardwalks, bars, restaurants, and automobiles with children on board, and now that we've got them isolated in their apartments furtively lighting up beneath the bed with a towel stuffed under the door, it's time bring the hammer down once and for all. As we previously reported, a number of co-ops and condos are planning votes to ban smoking inside private residences, man. Today a reporter who's friends with another reporter at the Post uses her connections to complain in the media about these filthy tobacco inhalers.
Only One Ticket Issued For Smoking In Parks So Far
Since the law went into effect prohibiting smokers from lighting up in city parks, pedestrian plazas, boardwalks and beaches, only one smoker has been given a ticket. And that ticket was issued to a Daily News photographer who practically begged Parks police to issue it, for the benefit of an article about how parks police are not enforcing the ban. The complete lack of enforcement—which officials fully acknowledge—has some wondering what the point is of having a law that everyone can disregard with impunity.
Video: Daily Show Examines Park Smoking Ban Impact In Union Square's Methadone Alley
Last night The Daily Show's awesome Samantha Bee reported on the NYC parks smoking ban from Union Square park, where she ironically juxtaposed the health-conscious smoking ban against the rather unhealthy realities of the park's "methadone alley." After shot after shot of stumbling, spaced-out drug addicts upstage her interviews with anti-smoking advocates, Bee finally asks, "You know what else inhibits my enjoyment of the park? This giant undulating pile of human sorrow. I have to go home at the end of being in this park and scrub myself with a metal barbecue brush just to get all the sadness off. Are you fucking kidding me? Smoking?"
No Crime On The High Line, NYC's Utopia In The Sky
There's stepping, junk-grabbing, and surreal little inflatables on the High Line, but the idyllic stretch of grass in the sky lacks an essential New York City element: crime. According to the Times, there has not been a single report of a serious crime on the High Line since its opening. The Parks Enforcement Patrol have written 362 summonses for "quality-of-life infractions" such as having dogs or bicycles, and the most common is for drinking. Since it's almost impossible to get a smoking ticket on the High Line, can we replace smoking infractions with tickets for excessive PDA?
What Park Smoking Ban? Reporters Spend Hours Trying To Get Caught
Good news for fans of looking really, really cool in city parks (sorry, rollerbladers): it's almost impossible to get a ticket under the newly passed smoking ban. The Daily News sent smoking staffers to the High Line and Coney Island to see how lax the enforcement was, and lets just say that you're more likely to get a ticket for bike-riding-with-tote-bag than you are from getting your daily doses of formaldehyde.
Despite Ban, You Can Still Smoke In Battery Park
As far as we know, there have still been no smoking summons written over the city's new smoking ban and, if a recently unveiled memo is correct, there may well never any written in Battery Park or Hudson River Park (and possibly the Brooklyn Bridge Park). Why? Because those parks are not technically city parks.
Not One Ticket Written Yesterday For Smoking In The Park
The city's new ban on smoking in parks and beaches kicked in yesterday—not that anyone could tell. Though we (and the tabloids) easily found a gaggle of unrepentant smokers in the newly non-smoking areas, the Parks police didn't issue a single summons for smoking yesterday. Because they expect it to be self-enforcing, obviously.
Defiant Smoking Scofflaws: "New York Is Kind Of Lame Now"
Although the city's Smoke Free Air Act—which prohibits the act of smoking in public parks, beaches, pedestrian plazas, the Brooklyn promenade and the concrete walk at Coney Island—went into effect today, cigarette smoking scofflaws in Union Square Park chose to boldly ignore Bloomberg's ban and blow smoke in the law's face. Through Newport scented clouds, we spoke with angry, disobedient puffers in the park.
Smoking Banned From Private Residences In Upper West Side Condo
An Upper West Side condo has become the first to ban smoking inside all its apartments, regardless of how long anyone has lived there. The Ariel West, a 32-story glass tower at Broadway and 99th Street, voted 47 to 3 to approve the ban late last month, the Times reports. The ban comes as a new law prohibiting smoking in city parks, beaches, and pedestrian plazas goes into effect on May 23rd. It's already illegal to smoke in your car with a child present, and pretty soon the only place left to legally smoke cigarettes will be in your smoky dreams. And we're fine with that.
Bloomberg's Vision Of The Future: Kids Suing Smoker Parents
When some people gaze into their crystal balls to get a glimpse of the future, they see visions of food tubes, turkish cabs, or President Donald Trump. But when Mayor Bloomberg accesses his precognitive abilities, he only conjures two misty visions: a NYC landscape filled with trees...and children suing their parents over secondhand smoke.
NYC's Free Nicotine Patch and Gum Program Resumes Today
The city of New York wants you to quit smoking. Surprising, we know, what with the constantly rising cigarette taxes and smoking bans. But, and this is to the city's credit, bans and taxes aren't the only anti-smoking tools in the city's utility belt. Every year they also give away free anti-smoking aids like nicotine gum and the patch. This year's NYC Quits program starts today.
Barnard Bans Butts And The Cigarettes They Come From
The 23 CUNY campuses that banned smoking in January have prestigious company. Barnard has tweaked its smoking policy and is now going to be "a smoke-free campus," effective March 21. According to an e-mail sent to students yesterday the change "is the result of regular requests from various members of the College community to complete a process we started in 2004 when we first limited outdoor smoking on campus."
What Would John Lennon Have Thought About Smoking Ban?
On Bloomberg's radio show yesterday, a caller identifying himself as "John" and speaking in a British accent asked the Mayor what the late John Lennon would have thought of not being able to smoke in Central Park. Because the answer to that question is at all relevant to the debate. Bloomberg simply answered that he'd ask the next available Beatle: "Well, I don't know but we could probably ask Paul McCartney. The next time I see Paul - it's an interesting question. I'll ask him." Nobody seems to care what Ringo thinks of the ban.
Mayor Signing Smoking Ban Today, Last Gasp Set for May 23rd
Come spring (don't laugh, we can dream) cigarette smokers will be formally cast out of NYC parks, boardwalks, beaches, recreation centers, swimming pools and pedestrian plazas. Today Mayor Bloomberg will sign legislation forbidding smoking in public places, punishable by up to a $100 fine. Since the new law is considered unenforceable by many, it's hoped that future legislation will stiffen the penalties for smoking, perhaps mandating public stonings, or at least humiliating "I AM AN INCONSIDERATE SMOKER" sandwich boards.
Nanny-State Netherlands Wants Weed For The Dutch Only
We here at Gothamist are not normally in the business of international news unless it is of the utmost political and social importance. Which this story obviously is: The Dutch government has decided that they've had it up to here with stoned tourists using their cities as a backdrop for their perpetual spring break, and may soon decide that only those with a national passport can smoke their pot. Which means we'll now just have to visit for their beautiful scenery, interesting museums and great food. Oh, and the red light district.
Bloomberg: NYPD Won't Enforce New Smoking Ban
When we talked with smoker's rights activist Audrey Silk about the new ban on smoking in parks and beaches the former police officer told us that "you can't enforce it. As a police officer I am telling you right now it is unenforceable from the NYPD's point. This is feel-good legislation so they can say 'I've done this.'" And would you lookie here, on WOR this morning Mayor Bloomberg said pretty much the same thing.
No Smokers On City Council?
It's a total shocker that the group that voted to ban smoking in city parks, beaches and public plazas is showing little empathy for smokers who will now have nowhere to enjoy a cigarette but their own homes (unless the neighbors complain). The Daily News reports that the City Council can't think of a single member who currently smokes. "It wouldn't have gotten passed if there were smokers there," said smoker Josie Byrne. "I think it's a little ridiculous. They're trying to control people." Members of the Bloomberg administration trying to control people? Naaaaaah.
UPDATE: City Council Approves Smoking Ban!
[UPDATE BELOW] Within the hour, the City Council will vote on a bill that would prohibit smoking in city-run parks, beaches, boardwalks, and pedestrian plazas. (Read the bill below.) Council Speaker Christine Quinn rarely calls a vote unless she has enough support for it to pass, so by summertime you should be able to call the cops on that inconsiderate jerk smoking upwind of you at the beach. City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. had proposed compromise legislation that would have set aside smoking sections in parks and beaches, but Mayor Bloomberg wants total smoking eradication. But don't worry smokers—there are still some places left for you to enjoy your "habit."
Watch City Council Debate Park Smoking Ban Live
The City Council is currently debating the proposed ban on smoking in parks, beaches, boardwalks, pedestrian plazas, and in your dreams. Watch it live here.
CUNY May Ban Smoking From All Campuses
Like hundreds of other universities across the country, CUNY is poised to become almost entirely smoke-free. The Board of Trustees will meet today to vote on a plan to prohibit smoking from all 23 CUNY campuses; currently smoking is only banned inside buildings and CUNY vehicles. In addition, all tobacco industry promotions, advertising, marketing, and distribution would be prohibited on campus properties, and tobacco industry sponsorship of athletic events and athletes would be prohibited. Of course, some students call this discrimination.
Video: Do Smoking Scofflaws Deserve To Get Punched?
On Friday, MyFoxNY obtained video (below) of a lady on the B35 bus who clearly hasn't been on public transportation since the 80s. Passengers were outraged when the woman lit up a cigarette in the middle of the crowded bus, and then refused to put it out or to get off. The MTA says violators to their no smoking rule "will be fined," but the bus driver instead decided to kick her out. Sounds fair, right? Well, the blurry video seems to show the driver sneaking in a jab at the woman after he forcefully escorted her off:
Are Smokers On Their Way To Being Snuffed Out?
According to a new analysis, in 50 years smoking may be as outdated as floppy disks or whale harpooning. Though the research is based on declining rates in Britain, it says just one in five Americans is a smoker, down from one in four a decade ago. And as of 2009, there were just 1 million adult smokers in New York City. Though the number might be higher, as rumors of public shamings have driven many into hiding. Oh crap, did we just give Bloomberg an idea?
Sidewalk Smoking Punishable With 15 Days Jail in Great Neck
The push to ghettoize cigarette smokers has been taken to the next level in Great Neck (just two miles from the New York City border!) where the town elders have voted to ban smoking on sidewalks. It's only a matter of time before this latest attack on smokers—which will soon drive them out of NYC parks and beaches—happens here, inevitably culminating with a law requiring smokers to wear electronic collars that zap them if they light up outside designated subterranean nicotine bunkers. The smoking world needs a savior. Enter Audrey Silk, head of the NYC-based smoker's rights group Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, has anything to say about it.
Brooklyn Councilman Wants to Halt Hookah Bar Proliferation!
The sacred hookah bar—one of the few remaining establishments where New Yorkers can legally smoke indoors—would become even more of a rarity in NYC if City Council Member Vincent Gentile has his way. Gentile, who represents Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Bensonhurst, will introduce a bill this week that would ban new hookah bars starting in 2012. Existing hookah bars would be exempt, but the Daily News reports that they would would have to register with the Health Department, and would be barred from expanding or changing locations.
Smoking Ban Compromise Stubbed Out by Bloomberg
Yesterday Councilmember Peter Vallone offered an alternative to Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to ban smoking in all city parks, pedestrian plazas, beaches and boardwalks. Vallone's compromise bill would stop short of a full ban, and create smoking sections in parks larger than two acres. He would also allow smoking in the city's new pedestrian plazas. But City Room reports that Vallone's bill "appeared to gain little traction" at the "occasionally raucous" hearing. And today Mayor Bloomberg expressed no interest in compromise.
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