New legislation will soon come into force, banning smoking at most state-owned parks, beaches, marinas, boardwalks, playgrounds, and recreation centers in New York. When the law comes into force in 90 days' time, anyone caught smoking in these locations could face a civil fine of $50.
There are some exemptions. The ban doesn't include the Adirondacks and Catskills, and you're free to smoke in parking lots, on sidewalks adjoining parks, and areas not used for park purposes.
According to State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, the ban has been imposed partly for health reasons, and partly to reduce environmental damage. "No one, especially children, should be subjected to secondhand smoke while playing on a playground or enjoying the day at a public beach or camp site," Stavisky said in a press release. "Our parks also shouldn't be tainted by non-biodegradable cigarette butts scattered throughout their grounds."
The new law applies to cannabis and tobacco, but not to e-cigarettes – though current state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regulations already ban vaping at most of the locations covered by the new law.
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