New York City and Seoul extend smoking ban to outdoor public places. The City Council of New York, USA has voted to enact a smoking ban that encompasses city parks, beaches and other public zones such as Time Square. Now, in addition to prohibiting smoking indoors, all of the city’s 1,700 municipal parks and 14 miles of beaches will be designated as non-smoking areas. The Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City said, “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.” In Seoul, South Korea, smoking has also been banned from the public main squares of Seoul Plaza, Cheongyecheon Plaza and Gwanghwamun Plaza, with violators facing fines. The city of Seoul also plans to make 321 public places, such as parks and bus stations, into smoke-free zones by the end of this year.

A big bravo and many thanks, city governments of Seoul and New York, for extending smoking bans to outdoor public places. May your cities and many more worldwide continue towards a clean and bright environment that is smoke-free for all.
 
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