The city is about kick some ash and take some names.
The City Council yesterday overwhelmingly passed a ban on smoking at parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas in a move critics called the latest nag from the nanny state.
“The next thing they’ll ban is smoking in my house,” fumed an incensed Scott Brocious, 37, who was at the Times Square pedestrian plaza.
“This is the open air; I’ll definitely still smoke in Times Square,” the Queens resident said.
The ban, approved 36-12, had been backed by Mayor Bloomberg, who intends to sign it.
The prohibition, one of the most ambitious efforts in the nation to curb smoking, comes eight years after the city banned tobacco use in bars and restaurants.
The latest law was hotly debated yesterday by council members, with the many dissenters saying the city was infringing on people’s rights.
“I truly believe that government in this particular matter is being too intrusive into the daily lives of New Yorkers,” said Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan).
And Erik Dilan (D-Brooklyn) took a swipe at another key Bloomberg initiative.
“I guess if somebody wants to have a cigarette, they have to smoke in a bike lane,” Dilan said.
Opponents argued it would be nearly impossible to enforce, and discriminates against smokers whose tax dollars help the city run.
Those pushing the bill, like City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, said it will save lives.
Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan), a sponsor of the law, said, “This will help New Yorkers become healthier.”
In Bryant Park last night, nonsmoker Brian Guillaudeu, 27, of Brooklyn, was happy about the ban.
“Right now, I can’t enjoy a park or a beach” he said.
The smoking ban will cover some 1,700 parks and 14 miles of public beaches, plus boardwalks, marinas and pools.
It goes into effect 90 days after Bloomberg signs the bill. The signing date has not yet been announced.
Violators will be ticketed by Parks Department personnel, not police.