Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NY News Flash: Smoking is Bad
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 10, 2005
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
Jen Chung
Published Feb 10, 2005
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
NY State is going to be increasing its anti-smoking initiative. Newsday says that an independent review found the state's advertising to be bad - it failed to "elicit emotions" in viewers, which probably means the state or ad agency working pro bono was asleep at the wheel. In fact, the CDC thinks NY State should spend almost $100 million to tout the anti-smoking message, but spending is more along the lines of $40 million. CDC, get in line - there are school children who need to be educated first.
Gothamist didn't really realize there was a statewide effort to let us know about the health issues associated with smoking, since Mayor Bloomberg's smoking ban has been something New Yorkers have had to live with since 2003. What's more, there's continued evidence that the Mayor's smoking ban didn't really hurt the bar business permanently. The NY Times even found some smokers who liked the ban, because their dry-cleaning bills were lower, sometimes it's nice to get some fresh air while they take a drag and there's a self-selecting smokers-only scene on the sidewalk. It's unclear whether the city has investigated what the smoking ban has done to the dry cleaning business, but Gothamist can only guess that the increase of barf-covered clothing from non-smokers who are now compelled to drink more at smokeless bars has more than offset any downticks in business.
Once upon a time, people really hated the smoking ban.
Tagged
advertising
bar
bars
bloomberg
children
gothamist
health
mayor
mayor bloomberg
new york
new york region
new york times
new yorkers
News: NYC
ny state
ny times
once
people
smoking
smoking ban
the city
The New York
the new york times
The NY
the ny times
York Region
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
Critics say the moratorium harms businesses in neighborhoods without a tradition of street fairs.
By
Carol Chen
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 4:24 p.m. ET
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
The new deck will be used to store buses and supplies while crews tear down and rebuild the Midtown bus terminal. Once the project wraps, the space will be converted into a new park.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
The new deck will be used to store buses and supplies while crews tear down and rebuild the Midtown bus terminal. Once the project wraps, the space will be converted into a new park.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NJ early voting begins Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
By
Mike Hayes
Countdown clocks are coming to an NYC bus stop near you
By
Stephen Nessen
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 .