The smokers of New York City will soon have even fewer places to light up this summer after the Big Apple’s city council voted to expand the existing ban on smoking in restaurants and bars to include, beaches, parks, boardwalks and other public spaces.

“This summer, 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,” Said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Not everyone one in the city government was as pleased with the legislation.

“I truly believe government is being too restrictive in this particular matter,” said Councilman Robert Jackson. “It’s a totalitarian society that’s going to have this type of restrictions.”

Violators of the rule will be issued one warning before being issued a $50 fine.

The city won’t be using its police force to enforce the new law. That task has been left up to the Parks Dept.

New York City Council votes to ban smoking in parks [Reuters]

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