Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Defiant Smoking Scofflaws: "New York Is Kind Of Lame Now"
By
Bethany O'Grady
Published May 23, 2011
Modified May 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Bethany O'Grady
Published May 23, 2011
Modified May 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Although the city's Smoke Free Air Act—which prohibits the act of smoking in public parks, beaches, pedestrian plazas, the Brooklyn promenade and the concrete walk at Coney Island—went into effect today, cigarette smoking scofflaws in Union Square Park chose to boldly ignore Bloomberg's ban and blow smoke in the law's face. Through Newport scented clouds, we spoke with angry, disobedient puffers in the park.
In front of one of the newly-posted signs warning smokers to nix the nicotine, unemployed Harlem resident Bryan Daley vented his rage at the city to us, cigarette in hand. "I walk through the park every day," griped Daley. "I'm gonna stand outside of the park and smoke now, but this is the biggest bullshit I've ever seen in my life. It's more like communism every single day. New York City is becoming militarized every single day."
Daley put some of the city's rules and regulations pertaining to New Yorker's vices into counter-factual perspective for us, "I think it's between a $80 and $100 fine for smoking in the park, but, smoking marijuana is a $25 summons. A $2.25 fare jump is not a summons, you go to jail! You go to Riker's Island over $2.25! You get fined like $100 for smoking in the park!" The fine for smoking in public spaces is actually $50, and as Brooklyn resident Tyrell Daugherty told Metro, "$50 is a lot of money, that's like three packs of cigarettes."
Greenpoint personal trainer "Roberto" was unaware that the ban went into effect today and lamented, "I heard that it was going into effect sooner or later. It's ridiculous, we're outside. It's Bloomberg, he's a health freak, he even passed that thing about transfat." Roberto says he plans to submit to the strong arm of the law: "I don't want to get a ticket, I know what that's like. It used to be that you could drink in public with a bag over your can, now you can't. I've gotten tickets for that in the past. Smoking in the park is not worth it. I'll smoke on the street."
Meanwhile, in Methadone Alley, an NYPD officer stopped Julie, a writer living in downtown Manhattan, to reprimand her for violating the new law. No summons was issued, but Julie vehemently tells us, "New York is kind of lame now. My rights are my rights. If you're going to ban smoking outside, in a park, why not ban everything else that harms people. Ban taxis! And [the officer] didn't have to have an attitude with me. He could have been a little more jovial about confronting me. I mean, you're trying to take nicotine away from a smoker!"
By the way, the Smoke Free Air Act also applies to cigar smokers. As it happens, we've just learned that there will be a cigar smokers rally and act of disobedience at 5 p.m. in Paley Park today. And on Saturday May 28th at 2 p.m., smokers' rights advocate Audrey Silk is organizing a big smoke-in on the Boardwalk at Brighton 6th Street, Brooklyn.
Tagged
cigarettes
smoking
smoking ban
Bethany O'Grady
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .