New York - The Totalitarian Stronghold.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

This is so damn stupid.

Exponential idiocy.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/03/new-york-smoking-ban-outdoors

Anyone visiting New York's 1,700 parks and 14 miles of beaches this summer will be able to do so free from the smell of cigarette smoke after the city council made its biggest anti-smoking push since it banned the habit from restaurants and bars in 2002.

The measure will see smokers fined $50 (£31) if they light up in municipal parks and pedestrian areas of Manhattan such as Times Square.

It was passed by 36 votes to 12 after a lively debate in which critics accused legislators of turning the city into a totalitarian state.

The move follows similar health-conscious measures in New York to remove trans fats from restaurants, force food chains to display calorie counts on their menus and efforts to persuade food producers to reduce salt content.

The mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is expected to sign the law this month, and it will come into effect 90 days later.

"New Yorkers who go to our parks and beaches for some fresh air and fun will be able to breathe even cleaner air and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts," Bloomberg said.

He has made improving the health of city dwellers one of the main ambitions of his nine years as mayor.

The 2002 smoke free air act, which removed smoking from most workplaces including restaurants and bars, was one of the first acts of his mayoralty.

That, combined with higher cigarette taxes and an aggressive anti-smoking advertising campaign, has dramatically reduced smoking among New Yorkers. Between 2002 and 2009 the smoking rate fell by almost a third, and over Bloomberg's time in office there are about 350,000 fewer smokers.

With attention of health bodies increasingly focusing on the effects of passive smoking, the issue of smoking in outside areas has risen to the fore.

Cities such as Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles have already banned smoking in parks, though New York's new regulations are among the toughest. A survey in 2009 showed that more than half of non-smoking adult New Yorkers – about 2.5 million – had levels of toxins in their blood from cigarette smoke high enough to leave residues.

But the anti-smoking measures are not universally approved. In the chamber of the city council on Wednesday there was heated debate about the new ban, with some members arguing that the health drive had gone too far.

"I truly believe government is being too restrictive in this particular matter. It's a totalitarian society that's going to have this type of restrictions," Robert Jackson, a Democratic council member from Harlem, told Reuters.

[Ban Hammer 13,481]

and soon, the chickens will come home to roost when they discover the tax money dried up too.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

and soon, the chickens will come home to roost when they discover the tax money dried up too.

No problem, they will just tax the last smoker to pay for everything!!

[Danno 1,228]

You have to give'em credit... Libs never get up until they have total control over your life, what you breath what you eat, what you learn in school.

Libs +1

[The_Dude 1,142]

lol, you all get your panties in a wad over a $50 ticket for public smoking? You'd sh!t yourself at what the fine is for smoking in a few select popular areas where I work.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

lol, you all get your panties in a wad over a $50 ticket for public smoking? You'd sh!t yourself at what the fine is for smoking in a few select popular areas where I work.

yes, totalitarianism is funny....

[The_Dude 1,142]

yes, totalitarianism is funny....

Maybe you should actually read up on these over the top terms you fancy using. You're doing it wrong.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Maybe you should actually read up on these over the top terms you fancy using. You're doing it wrong.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarianism

2 : the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority

Next?

[The_Dude 1,142]

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarianism

2 : the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority

Next?

Now try to use the term in proper context.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Now try to use the term in proper context.

Ok. Here:

- the TV you can own

- the light bulbs you can use

- the types of food you can consume

- the types of beverages you can consume

- the type of car you can drive

- the type of home you can own

- the types of windows you can have

- the type of fridge you have

- the type of washer and dryer you have

- the type of diapers you can use for your baby

- the type of gas you can put into your car

- the type of health care you can receive

- the type of shots you have to have

- the type of bike you can own

- the type of pool you can build

- the way you raise your children

- the way you discipline your children

- the type of education your children must have

- the type of business you can own

- where you can own your business

- what types of employees you must have

etc...

the list goes on and on.

You're living in a "soft tyranny" as one radio idiot would say. One that grows bigger and bigger each and every year.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Paul, i seriously wondering about your blood pressure - the stress caused by your crazed flights of fancy must really do a number on your general health.

Yes, you're oppressed because of smoking fines. What the ** ever!

[Fandango 1,440]

I personally don't have a problem with this. When I smoked, I didn't smoke in populated outdoor areas. Didn't smoke on the beach or in any parks. But I'm considerate....many are not. And when you're dealing with second hand smoke that's so unhealthy, it should be something that's regulated.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Paul wants to privatize the air we breathe. Right now, it's too socialistic, what with everyone breathing in the same air.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

More a TIP (brit slang for landfill) than a stronghold, but P&V still hit it on the nail!

[The_Dude 1,142]

More a TIP (brit slang for landfill) than a stronghold, but P&V still hit it on the nail!

If by hit the nail you mean completely overreacted using a tired and misused term, then I agree with you completely.