Soon, you’ll have to think twice before you light up a cigarette at the beach, or when taking a stroll through your local park. The City Council voted in favor of a resolution last week that forbids smoking in both places.

The ban is an extension of the city’s Smoke-Free Air Act, which banned cigarettes in bars and restaurants back in 2002. Smokers who take up their habit in public parks, beaches or outdoor plazas can be slapped with a $50 fine from the Parks Department, according to the new bill, which will take effect 90 days after Mayor Bloomberg signs it.

“It’s stupid,” said smoker Jeremy Kohler, as he stubbed out a cigarette on the sidewalk on East 210th Street. “It’s a park. There’s fresh air.”

Supporters of the ban, which included a number of local organizations and many Bronx City Council members, say it’s a key step in reducing the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. “The Bronx has one of the highest asthma rates in the whole city,” said Juan Rios, of the Highbridge Community Life Center, which is teaming up with the Bronx Smoke-Free
Partnership to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. “Hopefully the legislation will give us sanctuary for nonsmokers, and also smokers who are trying to quit.”

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.