Smokers not welcome in New York City

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Lifestyle News | Smokers not welcome in NYCIt might be true that governments around the world are only ever stopping people from doing stuff for their “own good” but ever since people started to find out that smoking’s bad for you some cities have been taking it a little bit further every few months.

New York City was one of the first to ban smoking in public places, and they’ve now take it a step further with today’s news. The tough measures will now see New York’s municipal parks, beaches, and even Times Square off limits to anyone that’s smoking a cigarette.

The vote, which turned out 36-12 in favour of the ban, will means that it’s an offence to smoke in any of the 1700 parks or 12 (23km) of coastline. It also means there’s only 12 smokers on the council. What are they doing these days to relieve stress?

Mayor Bloomberg said: “This summer, New Yorkers who go to our parks and beaches for some fresh air and fun will be able to breathe even cleaner air and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts.”

One of those who voted against the plans was Robert Jackson, who we can only presume doesn’t mind the odd snout every once in a while.

“I truly believe government is being too restrictive in his particular matter,” he said. “It’s a totalitarian society that’s going to have this type of restrictions.”

We don’t advocate smoking here at CalvinAyre.com, but this is surely a step too far. Fair enough, it’s not the nicest smell and cigarette butts are the bane of many people’s lives, but to ban them from an entire city is overkill. After this has been banned, don’t be surprised to see them move on to alcohol next in the constant fight against things that are fun but damaging.