This summer, New Yorkers who come to our parks and beaches for fresh air and fun, will be able to breathe cleaner air and sit on a beach that is not full of cigarette butts,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, after approving the ban.
The measure passed with 36 votes in favor to 12 votes against, but has not yet been approved by the mayor. More than 1,700 public parks in the big apple and 22 miles of beach will be affected by the measure, which takes effect in 90 days.
With such measures, New York joins other cities like San Francisco or Chicago in their crusade against smoking in public.
“Our efforts over the past nine years have resulted in more than 350,000 fewer smokers and has helped New Yorkers live on average 19 months longer than in 2002,” explained the mayor in a statement.
Meanwhile, critics believe that banning smoking on outdoor open spaces is an intrusion on individual liberties.
Source: El País
