On Wednesday, September 15th 2010. New York City officials announced a plan to ban smoking from city parks and beaches, that will also include the pedestrian areas that are blooming all over town, including the world famous one in Times Square.
The city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, said the measure will help insure that "when New Yorkers and visitors go to the parks and beaches for fresh air, there will actually be fresh air for them to breathe".
The effects of second hand smoke, inside and outside, where also stressed, as well as the point that fresh air does not necessarily clear the hazardous toxins from cigarettes and cigars.
The ban still faces a series of public hearings and the possible approval of the City Council to become law, and if passed, the challenge of how it will be enforced,.
New York City has around 1,700 parks and recreation areas and 14 miles of beaches.
Park security officers will probably be responsible for enforcing the ban and fining violators..
Back in 2003, after much controversy, smoking in nightclubs and bars was banned.
During the past year, the city's Health Department has been running an anti-smoking campaign using graphic posters of damaged lungs and hearts displayed in stores and kiosks that sell tobacco products.
One additional point city officers mentioned was the litter created by cigarette buts in parks and beaches.

NYC Plans to Ban Smoking in Parks, Beaches - CNN iReport