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NYC Council mulls expanding smoking ban in parks to nearby sidewalks

By
Rich Calder
Published Oct. 28, 2023, 1:03 p.m. ET

Sidewalks abutting all Big Apple parks would be smoke-free zones by the City Council.

The bill introduced by Sandra Ung (D-Queens) last week would extend an existing ban prohibiting smoking on parkland, part of a larger anti-smoking crackdown signed into law in 2011, to cover all sidewalks bordering the greenspace.

Ung drafted the bill after her office fielded many complaints about people puffing weed and cigarettes on benches and other areas just outside local parks and playgrounds.

The bill was introduced by Sandra Ung (D-Queens) last week and would extend an existing ban prohibiting smoking on parkland.
The bill — introduced by Sandra Ung (D-Queens) — would ban smoking on sidewalks outside of city parks. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
hand holding smoking cigarette
First offenders would pay a $50 fine under the new legislation if approved by the City Council. methaphum – stock.adobe.com

“It is good public health policy to ban smoking in parks, but our open spaces are just that — open,” said Ung.

Fines would be $50 for first offenders and $200 for future violations within one year.

The bill is already fielding some pushback.

Ung drafted the bill after her office fielded many complaints about people smoking weed and cigarettes outside local parks and playgrounds.
Ung drafted the bill after her office fielded many complaints about people smoking weed and cigarettes outside local parks and playgrounds. SrFoto – stock.adobe.com

Councilman Kalman Yeger (D-Brooklyn) said he agrees that no one should smoke in or near parks but believes the city should prioritize and first crackdown on “rampant” illegal drug use plaguing the Big Apple — including junkies shooting up in and near parks.

“Let’s deal with that first,” he said. “Then we can tackle problematic electric cigarettes on the sidewalk.”