New York City anti-smoking laws are today extended to include city parks, public beaches and pedestrian malls. The ban is controversial, in that many consider it an infringement of personal rights for the sake of health benefits that are decidedly questionable, or non-existent. However, the city has shifted the emphasis of the law to its effect on residents’ quality of life instead, pointing to the absence of both smoke and cigarette-strewn public grounds as reason enough for the ban. ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan notes that she would be indignant if the new law were characterized as protecting public health; however, “if it’s presented as a quality of life issue, I can support that,” she says.
