http://uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.net/new-york-introduces-outdoor-smoking-ban.htm
What possible justification is there for this, apart from the satisfaction which some derive from stamping on others' enjoyment? Ye gods!
You could go one better by charging people to use the parks and then banning smoking.
Hammersmith & Fulham are charging personal trainers etc. for using their parks. No smoking ban there yet.
Got the title of this thread all wrong. Dictators always like a good smoke (Mao, Stalin, Fidel, etc.) - it's the "democracies" that are against smoking.
Last edited by NJS (2011-05-25 08:00:11)
The NYC parks department, whose jurisdiction this is, has said they consider the ban to be self-enforcing, which is another way of saying they will be looking the other way. As for the "end of civilization" arguments, which you guys seem to love, I think you should stop fretting about cosmetic things like this and do something about the real and effective removals of our civil rights by governments and big business via such things as anti-terrorism laws and the new anti-net-neutrality coalition which is forming (again, government and big business). But perhaps you guys aren't worried about Big Brother as long as he lets you keep your cigarettes, booze, and fancy clothes.
Pick your fights, people.
Last edited by Big Tony (2011-05-27 07:18:59)
Well then, you'll really get a kick out of this: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/18/tsa-vs-texas/
The first time I saw a "No Smoking in the Park" sign, I smeared it over with fresh dogshit, it being the dead of the night!