Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cig Fines Don't Pay (Much)
By
tien mao
Published Aug 18, 2004
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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
tien mao
Published Aug 18, 2004
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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
Because there really needs to be more fuel added to the smoking ban issue, The Post reports that, in the past year, only $433,185 has been collected from smoking violations. The fine per violation ranges from $200 to $2000 depending on whether there were previous violations or not.
Those against the plan wonder if the fines collected even pay for the 100 people that have enforcing the law, while enforcement officials say that the low number means people are obeying the law.
The Post lets us know that $24 million was collected for sanitation fines, but Gothamist knows that there are more opportunities to fine for littering than there are for smoking. It would be nice if there were some way of comparing the number of bars and smoking violations to the number of potential sanitation violators to its fines.
Gothamist on the smoking ban and its anniversary and affecting businesses.
Tagged
bars
gothamist
law
News: NYC
people
smoking
smoking ban
the post
tien mao
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 .