smokin'!

New Yorkers Are Actually Getting Tickets for Smoking in Public Places

The ban on smoking at New York City’s parks, beaches, and plazas kicked in last May, but wasn’t really enforced, with just 84 people receiving summonses through the rest of 2011. But in less than four months this year, the Wall Street Journal reports, the number of people ticketed is up to 108, despite cigarette-hating Michael Bloomberg’s stated preference that the rule be self-policed. Meanwhile, the mayor has also responded to concerns that a bill he introduced yesterday to City Council is a move to outlaw smoking even in people’s own apartments. “We’re not trying to ban anything,” he insisted. “I’ve always believed, as you know, that if you want to smoke I think you should have a right to do so. But it kills you.” So just go die somewhere isolated, okay?

Smoking Tickets Rising in New York