Senator Andrew Cuomo passed a law against smoking on or near platforms, ticket buying areas and waiting areas on the LIRR today. The law will officially go into effect 90 days from now. This includes open-air platforms, and pretty much anywhere on LIRR property.
Smokers’ reactions to the law were anything but positive. Some see it as an infringement upon their rights, and others see it as just plain silly. “They don’t care about smokers,” said one traveler. Others see it as a chance to breathe freely, without the chance of inhaling second-hand smoke.
Most smokers agreed that in recent years they had been stepping off to the side, downwind of other passengers in an effort to curtail the smoke that they produced. “I don’t want an asthmatic to have to breath my smoke,” said a young lady. “I prefer to smoke away from the crowd, because there’s always someone who coughs and says something.”
The law says that smokers can be fines up to $1000 dollars per infringement, and that has a few people angry. “I’d do the time. I wouldn’t pay the fee. $1000 is a joke,” said a smoker, who promptly tossed his butt over the side of the platform.
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