Mayor Bloomberg, in his never-ending crusade to turn NYC smoke-free, is looking into banning smoking at all Big Apple beaches and parks. The health of kids figures prominently in his argument. Bloomberg’s health commissioner, Thomas Farley, said “We don’t think it’s too far to say that people shouldn’t be smoking in parks, and to try to protect our children from getting addicted to tobacco.”
Like Bloomberg, I’m a former tobacco head who now absolutely loathes the stuff. I’m always incensed when folks (sometimes even parents) light up in or right outside the playground where my daughter is playing (which is illegal by the way). Just the other day I tried Antonia Kidd’s tactic of shaming a smoker into stomping out her butt. Didn’t work. That said, I don’t personally have a problem with people smoking in public areas that aren’t specifically geared toward children. As much as I hate the smell (not to mention the potential risk), I strongly believe in personal rights, and I think Bloomberg’s proposed ban is unfair, not to mention unenforceable. Smokers are people too!
The Mayor faces a major battle, and I suspect it won’t pass, although it might. Other states including Utah, Louisiana, Maine and California have enacted similar bans. Frankly, if we’re going to ban something smoking related, how about those seriously disturbing anti-smoking commercials? (The one with the lady missing fingers just kills me!) They’re just nasty (which, I guess, is the point).
What do you think about the Mayor’s plans? Do you support a park and beach-wide ban, or do you think smokers should get a pass?
Definately ban smoking I. Playgrounds and beaches. My children have the personal right to breath clean air not smoke!
I’m not even a smoker and I feel that is a little extreme. “My children have the personal right to breath clean air not smoke!” What about automobile exhaust and chimney smoke. That effects our air too. After a while these laws become tedious and impose on the rights of others. What happens when my son leaves the “smoke-free” park? This is NYC almost everyone takes a drag now and then. If I walk down my block right I’m bound to walk past two newports and a marlboro.
It ’s not a matter of smokers rights. No one is saying smokers can’t smoke but since when is it okay to risk other people’s lives. I am allergic to cigarette and cigar smoke and I avoid NYC parks and beaches during some of the most fun events because the side effects make me sick. I get congested, my throat is sore, and have swelled membranes for days after even minimal exposure. I’d like to be able to go to the park or the beach too! At least the smokers can smoke somewhere else. What park or beach can I go to where there will be no smoke???