No more warnings: if you light up a cigarette on a Metro North platform, station and terminal boarding areas, or near an outdoor ticketing machine, it could cost you.
According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) the ban on outdoor smoking goes into effect Feb. 15 for Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road customers.
Actually it went into effect in November—but with a grace period for educating the public. At the time, Metro-North President Howard Permut said, “The new law is a benefit to our customers, helping us in our efforts to provide a healthier and cleaner environment on our platforms and in our ticketing and boarding area. We appreciate the action taken by Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to protect New Yorkers and improve public health.”
Now, enforcement begins. Violators can be ejected from Metro-North or LIRR property and face fines of up to $50 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both.
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Please add this option in the poll . . . We should leave people alone.
As for killing yourself with cancer sticks. My grandmother was born in 1914. Smoked forever. Still kicking. Buried 2 husbands, Though I think they went out of necessity.
I truly am glad your Grandmother is alive and well and hope she lives a lot longer but that isn't science, that's just luck.
We are all going to die. Just a matter of where, when, and how. So far I've seen people die from everything from cancer to AIDS to suicide. Once you allow the government to pay for any of it then you are screwed. . . . and may I say not in a shy way. :) JD
JOE DOAKES FOR PRESIDENT!
All laws restrict behavior in some way. Every day I drive a car that I must have a license and insurance for. I stop at the stop sign, red light and obey all he traffic rules. I own a house that was built complying with building codes and I live in a town that requires me to recycle and maintain my property safely. This isn't tyranny, this is living in a society where we all have do or not do things that society decides is appropriate. If your smoking on the platform is that important to you then I suggest you organize a smoke in and openly disobey the law. This will allow you to make a test case of this and take it to the Supreme Court where you can explain to them why this law is unconstitutional. Good Luck
Peace out, my dawgz.
The Constitution doesn't mention smoking, thus there is no right to smoke and it can be an activity that is regulated just like drinking alcohol. You can't drink alcohol in public, you can't bring a glass of beer outside a bar and you can't serve it to minors. But the good news is that you can smoke and you can drink beer, just not everywhere.