New York City outdoor smoking ban begins

New York (CNN) -- Smokers in New York City looking to light up in most public places will not be able to without paying a price after an outdoor citywide smoking ban takes effect Monday.
The law, which Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed in February after it was passed by the New York City Council, will make smoking illegal in New York City's 1,700 parks and on the city's 14 miles of public beaches. Smoking will also be prohibited in pedestrian plazas like Times Square.
The ban is designed to help curb exposure to secondhand smoke as well as reduce litter.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Smoking now illegal in parks, on public beaches, in pedestrian plazas like Times Square
• Ban is designed to help curb exposure to secondhand smoke, reduce litter
• Many other municipalities have banned smoking on public beaches and in parks
• New York City smokers' group plans protest; violators of ordinance could be fined $50

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/05/23/new.york.smoking.ban/index.html?hpt=P1