Judge Orders NY State Parks To Halt Outdoor Smoking Ban

[alp227]

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) – New York state parks officials must stop enforcing their recent ban on outdoor smoking, a state judge ordered, agreeing with a smokers’ rights group that the state exceeded its authority.

The February rules establishing no-smoking areas at various parks, including popular beaches and all nine state parks within New York City, aren’t supported by any policy set by the Legislature, state Supreme Court Justice George Ceresia said.

The city has a separate outdoor smoking ban for its parks and beaches that wasn’t challenged in this lawsuit.

The judge noted that while lawmakers enacted restrictions on indoor smoking, the Assembly and Senate have attempted but failed to target smoking in outdoor parks.

full: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/10/11/judge-orders-ny-state-parks-to-halt-outdoor-smoking-ban/

So what should non smokers do about rude smokers? Punch smokers' mouths?

[MattBaggins]

1. eat lots and lots of beans

and hang around them as they smoke.

[Warpy]

2. People who set fire to those things outdoors aren't rude, IMO

Yes, it stinks, but diluted in outdoor air, it's not that dangerous. There are a lot of stinks in this world I don't like but as an adult, I cope.

I just try to pass them upwind.

[HockeyMom]

3. When I am outside in public,

I seek out a place where there are no people around. That is not good enough? I try to accommodate, yet some people don't want to compromise on their part Now, with dumb 3rd hand smoking "cancer" risks according to AMA, even if I am not smoking around them just being around me and smelling my clothes will give them CANCER. Get real. That is nothing more to me than an agenda from a nanny state insurance health industry.

No, I am not going to quit. I am 65. I am going to die of SOMETHING, sooner rather than later. I will do my best to leave other people alone, but Nanny Health Care, leave ME alone.

[adavid]

4. "Do you smoke"?..

on an insurance form has now been changed to "have you ever used tobacco"?

BTW, everyone in ANY hospital, that is admitted for whatever reason, is in there because the smoke..............

[HockeyMom]

5. Yeah, anybody with a gun shot in a hospital

are there because they smoke. Right. Oh, it won't stop with smoking to those who cannot read between the lines. Where I used to work they charged higher premiums based not just on smoking, not just BMI, but your WHR. "Better indicator that BMI of who is at risk". CATCH more people including skinny 90 lb women who were not built not like a Penthouse model.

This is what insurance wants. Raise the bar (ideal health standard) so high that nobody will make it.

[Warpy]

10. I think you missed the sarcasm smilie

because if you made that last statement in earnest, you need to know it's a dumb one.

[tritsofme]

6. I'm so sick of this BS. God forbid a car drives past and you inhale some exhaust!

I haven't had a cigarette since I was in my 20s, but for Christ sake, you are outside in a park, you will be fine. It is getting utterly ridiculous, and has more to do with the desire to control the behavior of others than any sort of tangible concern.

[alp227]

11. Cars go away quicker than rude smokers. nt

[B Calm]

7. I don't smoke, but banning outdoor smoking is getting ridiculous!

I glad this judge put his foot down on this silliness!

[Boom Sound 416]

8. Hi Courtesy, meet Tolerance

[malletgirl02]

9. Hopefully the smokers clean up after themselves.

I hope they donKt leave their butts on the ground.