New York will be joining cities like San Francisco and Chicago as the New York City Council has voted to ban smoking in parks and beaches as well as other public places. 36 people voted in favor of the ban while only 12 opposed it. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has also announced that he will be signing the bill, which will be put into effect 90 days later. This ban will expand the earlier ban on smoking in restaurants. With this new ban, smoking will be also prohibited on boardwalks and in pedestrian plazas.
The police will be not be enforcing this ban, but the city's Parks Department will, giving a warning to those caught smoking in public places before fining $50. Those against the smoking ban claim that the government is exercising too much power over the people.
I personally think that this ban is great as smoking isn't just dangerous for the one who smokes, but also everyone that comes into contact with that person. The effects of second-hand smoking are very dangerous and it can harm someone who accidentally inhales the smoke without meaning to even do so. I'm glad that New York is banning smoking in public places as this will protect many people and also purify the air a bit.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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3 comments:
I would think that there would be many in favor of this, except smokers of course. Those in favor probably are not too unhappy that the government may be "exercising too much power over the people." After all, when we tend to agree with things, we many not care how much government is involved - as long as it is in our best interest. And, according to this link http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2007/pr050-07.shtml , the amount of smokers in New York has had a very evident decline over the past 4-8 years. In 2006, only 17.8% of the adults in New York smoked. I think this will be a nice way to clear up the air, like Eunice commented on, although smoking doesn't necessarily pollute the air too much. Nevertheless, second-hand smoking is potentially dangerous, and eliminating smoking in public areas and restaurants adds a more pleasant, clean feeling to the environment. I am, however, a little confused how they will enforce the "warning" policy. After they give a "warning," how will they ensure, if that person smokes again, that they are targeting the same person? I'd be interested to see their method...do they take a picture??
I think it's a good idea that New York wants and hopefully will ban smoking from public facilities, because just like Eunice said on the post, second-hand smoking has its risks too and those people who inhale that smoke don't mean to do so. Banning smoking from public places will create a brighter and cleaner community, in my opinion, rather than a stinky and polluted air. I really do hope that New York puts this law into effect ASAP.
I am happy that New York passed this anti-smoking band. Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health, and we get to protect other people because second hand smoke won't get other people like children in the parks. I also know that this will anger a lot of people who smoke. They will probably try getting this bad repealed but I believe that it won't work. The majority of our country is against smoking and I know that they will try keeping as smokefree as they can.
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