New York City Council bans smoking in parks, beaches, Times Square

New York, Feb 3(ANI): The New York City Council has approved to extend the city's smoking ban to municipal parks and beaches.

The ban was approved by a vote of 36-12, and will take effect three months after New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg signs it.

It will make it an offence to light up in any of the city's 1,700 parks and along 23kms of public beaches plus boardwalks, marinas and pedestrian plazas, including Times Square.

"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 and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts," the BBC quoted Bloomberg, as saying.

Smoking was banned in New York's bars and restaurants in 2002.

Many smokers say that the law will infringe on their rights. (ANI)