Bed-Stuy Residents Weigh in on the Mayor's New Smoking Ban

Mayor Bloomberg just made it a little harder for New Yorkers to enjoy a smoke. The mayor yesterday signed into law a ban on smoking in city parks, beaches and boardwalks.

In 2002, the mayor banned smoking in restaurants, bars and other public indoor spaces. This latest law extends the no-smoke zone to all public plazas.

Health Commissioner Thomas Farley says the law will protect people from dangerous secondhand smoke. Critics say the city is encroaching on New Yorkers’ civil liberties.

In Bed-Stuy, the new smoking ban has been met with mixed reviews:

Arielle McGowen, a non-smoker who lives on Classon Avenue, supports the measure.

"I'm all for it. Smoking can hurt others, so people who don't smoke shouldn't have to be subjected to it. When Bloomberg cut salt in restaurants, it was different,” McGowen said. “If you eat too much salt, I'm not affected. But if you smoke next to me, I can get cancer. Plus, less smoking means less trash."

Lexie Robinson, a smoker since she was 12 years old, vehemently opposes the new ban and thinks Bloomberg is putting his efforts into the wrong issues.

"I think Bloomberg should worry less about smoking outside and worry more about the Board of Ed,” said Robinson. “I will always smoke at the beach or at the park; it's my right. I already have the highest rent in the country, expensive transportation, terrible bike lanes and awful garbage and snow removal, and now he wants to add no smoking outdoors?"

“I don’t think he’s doing anything wrong. That’s just my opinion. I mean, I ain’t gonna lie, I do smoke cigarettes, and I’m trying to stop,” said 20-year-old Marcellos Freeman. “Second-hand smoke is [worse] than first-hand smoke. Cigarettes [are] bad. Not even that, it’s just got many different effects to it. So the people should be ready for different changes to live stronger, healthier lives.”

Clara Young, 70, says Bloomberg is overstepping his boundaries with the ban. She was sitting with a friend on a park bench smoking a cigarette outside of Lafayette Homes.

“He’s doing too much to people now. I know it’s a health issue, but c’mon... I disagree with it,” she said, shaking her head.

“I recently quit smoking,” said Eftimi Etzoglou, 25. “But just because I quit smoking doesn’t give me the right to choose where people can and cannot smoke. Maybe banning it in the parks is a good thing, because it’s around the kids. But at the same time, people are gonna get aggravated, because you have people playing chess, relaxing, and they’re going to want to be able to smoke if they choose.”

“I am absolutely for it. I support his decision,” said Kasia Jung, 34. “Because smoking is extremely, extremely unhealthy, and also for people who are exposed to it.

“I know it may be hard for those who smoke, but I think we should consider our health first.”

The law, which will be enforced by the Parks Department, goes into effect in 90 days, on May 23, 2011. It carries a $50 fine.