This is interesting. I am happy to note that California ranks behind only Utah.

http://www.smokefree.gov/map.aspx

"First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me."
______________

Just a bit melodramatic. There were always be the paid professional called lobbyists and lawyers and the people who own Altria stock, among many companies, and the apologists who wish to discredit all those studies concerning cancer and heart disease.

The Jews and trade unionists cited in your misused and overused warning never had such well-heeled groups respresenting them.

Smokers in NYC aren;t going to DO anything. there is nothing for them to do - except, hopefully, stop. They are still able to smoke in their own homes (if their partners allow) - although every apartment building I'm aware of bans smoking in any public areas) and on the sidewalk.

As for comparing laws against smoking to genocide - that is an insult to everyone who suffered themselves or lost family members in the holocaust. And it indicates either a complete misunderstanding of the incredible horrors of the nazi regime - or an extremely childish view of one's personal entitlement versus the rights of others and society as a whole.

What constitutes an "outdoor public area"? The street? Does this mean a tourist visiting NYC, staying in a non-smoking hotel has no place to smoke at all? Gimme a break.

A tourist--as well as a local, for that matter--still has plenty of places to smoke. Enough of the excessive emotions here!

>>What constitutes an "outdoor public area"?<<

Apparently, any space that's publicly owned, such as a park or beach. The ban, AFAIK, does not extend to private open spaces, such as "the street." It's really no different than banning alcohol at public beaches and similar places, so I don't understand the objection.

"A tourist--as well as a local, for that matter--still has plenty of places to smoke. "

such as? not in their hotel room, not in the hotel lobby or hotel bar, not on the street, not on the sidewalk, not on the subway, not in the park, not down by the river. So where are the plenty of places to smoke?

Wrong, Kealalani. They can still smoke on the streets and sidewalks..........and there are miles and miles and miles and miles and miles of streets and sidewalks.

PS: Look at it this way: At least they can legally smoke on the streets and sidewalks of New York, which is more than drinkers of alcoholic beverages can do here!

So you can't smoke in wide open spaces but can still blow smoke at patrons entering and leaving a restaurant on a crowded new york street! Don't get me wrong, sending me out to the streets at restaurants is what helped me quit, so I'm all for it.

A polite smoker wouldn't blow smoke in the direction of other people!

<<Giovanna, I don't think smoking is banned in public parks and beaches in California (wish it were!)>>

My mistake SF. I thought it was enacted. Guess that's another thing to thank Ahnald for!

No - the law is that smokers can;t gather immediately around he door of restaurants or office buildings. They are supposed to stand at least 10 feet away from the door so that patrons don;t have to enter through a cloud of smoke. this is strictly enforced in many place.

At the office building I work in desk staff move away any smoker that stands rights by the door - as does the staff in the apartment building across the street from me. There is one poor guy who's partner obviously won;t let him smoke in the apartment. He hangs out at the very far end of the awning by the street.

And I'm seeing fewer and fewer people hanging around outside restaurant doors.