Smoking Bans Are No Match for New Yorkers

Smoking in bars and restaurants has been banned in New York City since 2003 but Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently added beaches, parks, and pedestrian plazas to the long and growing list of places where smoking is verboten in the Big Apple. "Sin taxes" on cigarettes have driven the average price of a pack to more than $11.
Yet in a city renowned for its innovation and drive, smokers have found ways to work around government attempts at social engineering. These include the booming "loosie" trade, where street entreprenuers risk arrest to sell loose cigarettes for a dollar each on the streets of Manhattan; tobacco crops blooming in Brooklyn; and a thriving Soho bar/restaurant that survived the smoking ban thanks to an obscure grandfather clause.
With so much tax revenue being lost to the black market, and even the green market, perhaps it's time for a mayor who made billions in the free market to consider allowing business owners to set their own policies, and let the marketplace sort out the demand for smoking and smoke-free establishments.
Produced by Anthony L. Fisher.
About 4 minutes.
For downloadable versions of this video, links, and other supporting materials, go to reason.tv

Fascism is here folk... Big Insurance executives don't want to pay out cancer claims and surgeries, so they enact policies that will lower the monies they are responsible for paying out. In the near future, agribusiness instep with department of corrections will lobby the government to provide "smart" refrigerators... if you don't buy your milk and the sensor doesn't register, child protective services will be called on you. Soon, the discussion will lead to who and who can have children based on their genealogy and proposed IQ based on mathematical certainties. Because under 150 IQ will be too much of an impact on the environment. America is over folks, get your big bag of popcorn and watch the coals twindle...

[@UTubekookdetector]

"allow businesses to prioritize according to consumer demand." That should be a no-brainer, but unfortunately it is not.

[@AdamSPARTAN76]

I'm not a smoker but I love this video. People have spun this issue into smokers v. non-smokers when non-smokers should be standing with smokers here. If I don't want to smoke and the secondhand smoke really bothers me, I'll go to a business that chooses to remain smoke free. It's very simple. Cheeseburgers and soda are next!

[@mynamehappy]

Consumer choice is really what it boils down to. Smoking in bars is still allowed in my home state of Florida, but the ones that still allow it are few. I always appreciate a good dive that still allows smoking indoors.

[@redtra236]

Still allowed in most areas of Missouri

[@JeffTheDude777]

$11 for a pack of smokes?!? That's crack prices lol.

[@sachingogna6637]

It’s $22 in the UK

[@joefoley9894]

@@sachingogna6637 no it isn’t

[@BadassOfficial150]

@@sachingogna6637 no it’s about $14 in the uk

[@maxmoore8414]

its almost 50$ a pack in aus

[@RandomTwat09]

@@BadassOfficial150 £14 which is $22 you forget £1 is not $1

[@Godzie1]

52 million smokers (plus me) in the U.S keep fighting for our rights. We are not children & will not take it anymore from the antis. God bless this place!

[@heesil77]

I will not be denied my freedom

[@andrewlin7247]

How do you answer for the freedom to breathe clean air, then?

[@mjareacts2731]

move you're ass to a small island or something because if your looking for clean air its not in a city.

[@chrissoro2033]

Andrew Lin If you're so concerned with "clean air" I assume you don't walk down city streets, right?

[@andrewlin7247]

You realize there are regulations on what cars can put out right?

[@mjareacts2731]

And with that statement there's no way you live in a major city.

[@mojo3898]

Yeah! Owners should also be allowed to sell whatever food and drink they like and keep the place as dirty as they like, regardless of health codes. And cram in as many people as you want, fire codes are a limit on freedom! If people don't like a crowded bar with no fire exit they don't have to go there. And what's with last call? Serve alcohol 24-7! Why should anyone tell ME when I can't serve booze!!

[@thomas_tk330]

uhhhh I need one of these places. I want to enjoy a steak with bourbon while smoking a cigar.

[@awacs52]

I say ban smoking. If smokers develop a way to prevent others from inhaling their carcinogenic air then let them introduce it. Until then they should not be allowed to enjoy the same privileges as drinkers. However, if someone decides to drink heavily (and possibly die!) it will not affect me directly. Smoking, on the other hand will. I do not smoke or drink and thus do not rely on substances such as these that are psychoactive to get through the day.

[@danirezaeva3934]

Simple: keep smokers inside establishments that allow smoking, limit the amount of businesses that allow smoking, don’t go to establishments that allow smoking. Keeping smokers outside will have you breathing the smoke when you’re just going to the shop to get milk. Keeping them inside solves your issues. How about you think a little?

[@dustylover100]

I started smoking two years ago and love it. I wish there were more opportunities for people to get together like this. I remember when one could actually go into McDonald's and smoke. I don't think we should go back to that. But it would be nice to have a place set aside for those of us who want to enjoy our smokes.

[@nerkfumgogi798]

its all or nothing with these rules unfortunately, western people have it REALLY rough. im from israel there are plenty of pubs that allow smoking indoors and even certain buildings have indoor smoking sections but it is certainly fading away,they mostly hit us here with the tax(cigarettes slowly grew 5 times in price since 2000)but of course it doesn't stop us christ killers HAHA!.

[@michael_fassbender]

being in public does not give you the right to remove anything that bothers or offends you. Its called being an adult and tolerating the frightening realities of going outside of your home or stylish internet cafe.

[@logik316]

Michael Fassbender LOL, you’re an idiot. Nobody has the right to impose their unhealthy and disgusting habits on other people.

[@boristhepython]

i hate smoking but what i hate even more is when the government tells a private business what they can do on their property!

[@sockmess]

@skeptictom818 If your banning smoking in parks then you have to ban driving in parks which would mean no more driving in Central Park. Of course that kind of logic is lost on the NYC mayor and legislative branch

[@Anglynn74]

My husband's aunt died of lung cancer. she never smoked, her husband never smoked, no one in her home smoked. my cousin died of lung cancer, never smoked a cigarette in his life. My grandfather died at 92 & lived a long healthy life & was a former smoker.

[@billbob8532]

When i go to newyork from Canada i feel sick from all the exhaust fumes idk how people live there when i came back its like fresh air yes, the air they breathe in newyork has to be worse for you than cigarettes

[@logik316]

bill bob So what’s your point? Just because we have outdoor pollution, that means we need to have indoor pollution as well?

[@Gohot229]

I quit smoking on May 3rd 2013. Don't miss it. I'm 62 and 20 + years smoking. Ya all should try to quit with patches, you'll feel so much better, I promise. But if you don't, it's cool.

[@wellert7481]

Fuck the smoking ban.

[@wellert7481]

This is a calling to get all smokers to smoke indoors for a day.

[@wellert7481]

The cold weather is coming and it will be hell for smokers.

[@wellert7481]

I smoke in my room.

[@wellert7481]

I follow The Buddha.

[@aqua0957]

WellerT F**k smoking 🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚯🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚯🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭🚭

[@VMA225]

About 90 % of the Cigarettes sold in NYC are sold illegally !!! The Taxman is really Surprised by how very little money is coming into the Cities Coffers. I'm Surprised that the Taxman is Surprised !!!

[@DOHC2L]

@gulbirk "But the reason why the governments stepped in was also to create an equal oppertunity. Because it was allowed in all bars, and it is dangerous." No, equal opportunity DOES NOT mean what you value (not smoking) becomes law and what other people value (smoking) becomes illegal. Equal opportunity for two groups of people means each group has a 50% opportunity. A smoking ban imposes a 100% opportunity for non-smokers and a 0% opportunity for smokers. How is that "equal" opportunity!?

[@tonywolton]

I mostly vape now but still enjoy a cigar or two. In Berlin ( and other German cities) some bars have separate smoking rooms, so you don't have to stand in the street like a leper. If you don't like smoking or vaping, no one is forcing you into the smoking room.

[@flysolo100]

Back then, my favorite thing about smokers was how they argued loudly that smoke stays in one room and non smokers are lying about the stench and respiratory effects on the rest of us. My clothes smelled like their disgusting lungs every time I went to hear music or eat a meal outside of home (where neighbors’ smoke also smoke wafted in). Their freedoms were impinging severely on ours, but I only ever heard one single lone smoker admit the truth. They were a well spoiled lot, and I’m grateful that they had to pick different addictions.

[@johncrazy8s]

jesus christ i cannot believe that it has really gotten that bad in NYC. how is there not more public backlash?

[@PageYuri]

For all of the comments that love this smoking ban, watch out your junk food could be next. GIVE ME BACK THE FREE MARKET!!!!

[@punkrockpub]

My middle finger is on display, in an upright fashion!! Exclusively for Mayor Michael Bloomberg!!! People should be able to enjoy their choices, instead of state intrusion!!!

[@insdel2004]

I agree that on private property the owners should be able to set the rules. But in public parks and beaches a smoking ban is justified. Smokers have no right to foul the air on a public beach that I'm trying to enjoy. Just like I have no right to run up and kick sand into their eyes because I find it funny.

[@panpiper]

It is an insidious encroachment. People want the government to pay for health care. But the instant they do that, they have a moral justification for legislating against any behavior that could entail health care costs. This of course does not just stop at smoking. Expect legislators for instance to want to enact laws that will fine you if you get insufficient exercise. There is not much difference between 'Nanny state' and 'Big Brother'.

[@toddoetken4586]

SMOKING BANS are ignored in Burlington, IA.

[@creamsykle]

The reason they forced all companies to do it, is because if they just gave the companies a choice (which was always true) places that did not allow smoking could not compete in the open market.

[@crazypants88]

@gulbirk Not at all, but the fact remains you can simply walk away from the smokers if you don't like the smoke, you don't have to force everybody else to live according to your values.

[@RoninMilli]

Remember when it was legal to hotbox your car with your child in it? Thank god for these bans.

[@sadlsore]

@gulbirk The principle underlying this video is that it is the business owner, not the government, who should have the right to determine how to best serve his patrons/operate his business, because the owner is the one taking the risk. Here specifically the owner should have the right to determine whether to allow patrons to partake in a legal product, tobacco, along with another legal product, alcohol, at the owner's business.

[@Irishbeermonk]

Gotta love States like Pensylvania, Oklahama, Nevada and Florida that let the bar allow smokers light up inside in some bars. It's a freedom for bars to chose this law. Even if it's in a separately designated smokers lounge to split the bar in half, you shouldn't push smokers out if half your revenue is coming from the smokers. I couldn't believe it when Casper, Wyoming brought in a smoking ban. Craziest thing I've heard!

[@abyssquick]

Smoking isn't that offensive. I don't know why it's being demonized. I don't smoke, and never will. If you eat healthy, it's not a major concern anyhow... the social circumstances that cause people to feel like they need to smoke... that's more of a concern to me. Not the chemical band-aid itself.

[@luke55664]

Choice? "Let the consumer decide?" (i.e: freedom) ...........Crazy!...Surely we can't have any of that!

[@BenBurkley07]

@TigerghostPictures yes, but you are forcing the owner of the bar or restraunt to not allow smoking on his or her own property. If you dont like smoking you can go to a restraunt where the owner does not allow smoking. Very simple, if more people prefer to go to a place with no smoking then that will become the norm across the establishment, if not, than most bars will allow smoking.

[@scottferguson2702]

stupid ban that might get me evicted from hud housing!!

[@crazypants88]

@gulbirk I agree it should absolutely be up to the business whether it wants to allow smoking there or not. I disagree though that just because it wont appeal to you, it will then loose money. If anything this video demonstrated that there is a demand for smoking in bars.

[@TheLegalImmigrant05]

The lady is right. If everyone truly wants the ban, let's repeal the fucking law and see how true that actually is: hoe many or few people will patronize bars that allow smoking.

[@TBAKC]

My aunt has lung cancer now from smoking. My grandma died from lung cancer. My mom i think might be next. All three started when they were 12 or 13. Back then it was cool and cheep as hell. Id never dream of inhaling that kind of shit in my lungs.

[@Anglynn74]

it's a shame taht establishments like the on ein the video are now a special thing or a minority....I can remember when people could smoke anywhere & there was a time when people weren't as uptight about the smoke & they knew the dangers of smoke back then as well. Society has gotten so uptight & "anti" everything anymore, it's a damn shame.

[@desirefirst]

new warning tattooed on to every newborn, "life is hazardous to your health"

[@redskins1111]

Wow growing tobacco up north good for all yall here in Maryland we grow tobacco all over!!

[@oilhammer04]

Before long, cars won't be able to smoke.

[@rubbersole79]

What's astonishing about this whole thing is the way smokers lie down and get run over on this issue.....reminds of the german population during the rise of the third reich. A measure in California wanted to make it illegal to smoke on your own outside patio. You can't smoke at interstate rest areas in Iowa. Sorry, but I just don't see the harm in allowing club owners to decide this matter for themselves. The predjudice and rage against those of us using a legal product HAS to be alarming.

[@JIm-w1b]

By lucky chance, from a truck accident, I was able to buy 12 cases of Top brand cigarette tobacco in large metal cans for salvage price, and I can roll my own cigarettes in a little machine for maybe 10 to a penny. They're powerful strong and a tad hot and dry but have a good taste about like a Pall Mall or Camel. I've become so skilled with my little machine, that I can roll a cigarette as good as a store bought. The trick is to put in just the right amount of tobacco

[@RichardZERO]

Its 2024... Cigs are on their way out, and have never been more expensive. Cannabis is on its way in, and has never been cheaper. I wish i could go back in time to tell year 2000 me that the world is going to get WAY better.

[@bennyrashasha9920]

Ohhh tobacco industry.... I guess YOU just can't QUIT.

[@C0ct0pusPrime]

they're trying this in florida too...the commercials they use to try and gain support are ridiculous. they talk about either being poisoned or getting a gas mask. i say go get your fucking gas mask. you don't see me telling you not to drive because the fumes bother me...

[@rubbersole79]

Lots of things are bad for us. Why doesn't the government ban soft drinks, twinkies, ice cream, or alcohol???

[@TimpBizkit]

UK has it banned in enclosed public spaces, but to be honest if I was a smoker I would have considered it plain rude to smoke on a bus or in a shop. A lot of railway stations are also no smoking. I think it should be banned on trains but not at a station.
Banning it outside is silly though.

[@5tevef]

@gulbirk Equal opportunity? What opportunity? Are you saying that a business owner needs the government to tell them how to make money? We all know how well the government does that.

[@sockmess]

@Wormtail81 Grandfather CLAUSE. its one of the few, if only bar in NYC that allows smoking inside. Grandfather Clause means as long as your establishment was doing a activity that was legal before the law change that establishment could continue to do what used to be legal. but isn't legal now.

[@crazypants88]

@gulbirk Right but no one is forcing you to be in the presence of a smoker...

[@sadlsore]

@TigerghostPictures That's just plain asinine.Smokers chose to pickup the first pack, and they can choose to quit if they want to, if they think it's in their best interest. Whether they cosse to do so or not is neither your business, nor mine, nor Bloomberg's.

[@TheFremenChick]

Oh I miss drinking, eating, and smoking at the same time.

[@tijmen131]

who can he allow people to smoke indoors?

[@TheFremenChick]

Dogs aren't illegal in these place.

[@russwishtart]

Update...cigarettes in NYC are now $13.50/pack.

[@MMGCDICK]

@TigerghostPictures Hate to admit it, but Vegas...is right. I lost a significant portion of my freedom nearly 50 years ago. I didn't know that I would be an, apparently incurable, addict. Nevertheless, I trust freedom more than "government." Thanks to all the responders.

[@Tristin471]

I can see both sides on the ban of indoor smoking, but a ban on outdoor smoking is complete and utter bull! I even think indoor smoking should be left up the businesses. You should put a warning on the front of your business saying that you allow smoking, and let customers decide whether they want a smoking or non-smoking business, and the market will force businesses to adapt based on consumer preference.

[@SrgGoofy]

Which is more important, freedom FROM, or freedom TO, you can't have both.

[@hey96779]

I used to be a smoker that is the worst fuckin drug in world, I've been tobacco free for the past 5 years, and I'm very happy that I quit that nasty ass drug.

[@AnhTuPhucDerrickHoangCanada]

Why is it at parties the smoker is away in a corner of the yard but the guy with hiv came with a girl lol

[@RebelRadius]

It is a breath of fresh air to see a POSITIVE news report. Watching this clip, just made my day! Kudos.

[@crazypants88]

@TigerghostPictures True smoking is a choice, so is being close to a smoker while he's smoking. If you have problem with breathing second smoke you can always simply walk away. If you're proposing a tobacco ban or restrictions then you're absolutely no better than the advocates of the illegalization of marijuana.

[@charlesf6247]

Its funny there is an unknown constitutional clause that states " If citizens do not like a law they have the right to change it" want smoking in bars get a petition to get the law off the books we the people have the right to VETO any laws

[@SammyDavistheThird]

@rubbersole79 it's coming or it's here. They could go a bit harder and faster with cigarettes because of the whole second hand smoke thing, that became their excuse to eviscerate everything smoking related. Soft drinks, alcohol etc. are a bit harder sell without the whole second hand angle to work, but they're getting there.

[@supersupersocco]

Your freedom to smoke is killing me. Your freedom to smoke costs me tax dollars to hospitalize you too.

[@Trioptic3D]

But how was his establishment able to get "grandfathered" in. They really didn't explain.

[@mangoswiss]

Who wants to get to the end of their life and die of nothing.

[@crazypants88]

@walkingisboring If they didn't serve a purpose people wouldn't be smoking them.

[@JeffTheDude777]

at a regular gas station, $4-5 a pack. go to a smoke shop, 2 packs for $5. depends on the brand. but $5 on average a pack.

[@lenvine]

My comment has nothing to do with smoking. That has been covered adequately by all these comments. I just want to say, as a videographer, to whoever posted this video, GET YOUR ASPECT RATIO RIGHT ! You have taken a 16:9 video and stretched it to 2.35:1 widescreen, making everyone look fatter than normal. Please check you aspect ratio when uploading video to KZbin. Happy smoking everyone !

[@rubbersole79]

@666sigma I'm with you sir, except that I do smoke. However, even as smokers, we preferred (before the ban) restaurants that were smoke-free, and we excercised that choice. All I'm saying, is that little by little, choices are being removed from us. What's next? Lemonade stands?

[@skcushcodrum]

@notJoeKing1776 Sorry, but due to obesity and associated health concerns, lunch is now illegal.

[@crazypants88]

@gulbirk Sure there's always fewer and fewer people smoking but you don't have to share your preferences with the majority for it to be profitable for someone to appeal to your preferences like with bars allowing people to smoke in them. Kind of like gay bars, the majority of people are straight, that doesn't mean that gay bars are therefore unprofitable.

[@toddoetken4586]

Iowa has a SMOKE-FREE AIR ACT, yet smoking is allowed at EVERY "Smoke-Free" area in Burlington, IA. Law enforcement does NOT do its duty to enforce this state law.

[@redtra236]

Sounds like a tyrannical law to me, not allowing the property owner to allow their patrons to smoke and thus risk putting them out of business

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

How the fuck did smoking ever become synonymous with freedom?

[@chrissoro2033]

By being something some people enjoy that others declared political war on because they personally don't like it. They can do it with anything, so if you enjoy something someone else disapproves of, look out.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

If my habit harmed others, I would have a problem and I would address it.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

So you think we just like to waste our time bothering you over something that doesn't harm others? Newsflash: if smoking didn't harm others we have better things to do with our time.

[@chrissoro2033]

Then may I humbly suggest you do them. Live and let live.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

When you smokers figure out a way to smoke in a way that nobody would even notice, I will. Promise! Trust me I have a lot of bad habits too but they don't bother anyone.

[@TigerghostPictures]

@VegasBilgeRat No. I do not smoke anything. It is harmful to the most basic of personal property I own, which is my body. I am a strong advocate for the legalization of marijuana in private residences and for smoking tobacco products outdoors, but as for indoor establishments that are not residencies, smoking anything should be banned. See, I support your right to smoke... just not in my face. You want to smoke or do any kind of drugs? Do it on your own time in your own home, but leave me out.

[@khangaroo100]

People have the personal freedom to decide whether or not to inhale poison but when it comes to smoking it is no longer just about the individual. Passive smoking and the financial burden of paying for the treatment effect other people as well.

[@heesil77]

DONT TREAD ON ME

[@crazypants88]

@TigerghostPictures Rude inconsiderate people? Kind of like the people who advocate banning something even they're in no way forced to participate in that thing. I'm sure you can relate...

[@EuphrasieF]

@xadam2dudex What business of yours is it if someone won't give up their habit? None, whatsoever.

[@beautyintheskies]

I like that they ban smoking in restaurants and anyplace that serves food. I don't like to smoke and eat at the same time. There is a bar near me that has a smoking lounge which I have been to a few times and I enjoy the atmosphere for a couple of hours every now and again but I do feel bad for the bartenders. It gets very, very smoky. That can't be good for the bartenders. I would not want to work in such a place. Also I support bans on playgrounds or near schools where children gather. But to ban it in an outdoor park- I don't think that should be allowed. It is outside with open ventilation. I think some of these laws are going too far. Tobacco is a legal product for adults over age 21 where I live. When I started smoking it was 19 y/o. I don't drink alcohol but I don't go around telling other ppl how to live their lives. I expect they could extend to me the same courtesy.

[@coffeebuzzz]

@franzyland Australian dollars are worth more than US dollars, so $15 AUD is about $16 US.

[@scottferguson2702]

Ban E cigarrettes!

[@gulbirk]

@crazypants88 Sure I dont. I think its a matter of what the private owner want. I am just saying that they will eventually loose money on it, because people (like me) dont want to sit in a place breathing toxid :)

[@LibertyDownUnder]

We pay $15 / pack in Australia

[@jetrpg22]

@TigerghostPictures "Therefore I can sue an establishment for vandalizing my property [body]." Are you forced to be in that establishment... no. Therefore, by placing yourself in a environment with smokers , YOU MAKE THAT CHOICE. And thus there is no violation. See how simple that is, don't like establishment that allow smoking? ... no worries don't visit them. Do or don't care go ahead and visit them. This concept is called freedom you should try it. PS. I don't smoke, drink, do drugs, etc.

[@arfolc]

@AbjectConformity No, anti-smoking is not propaganda. I will repeat myself again: SECOND HAND SMOKE CAUSES 600,000 DEATHS A YEAR. The World Health Organization did a research project on that. Cigarettes are nothing short of little cancer sticks, and smoking should be banned altogether. Smoking is a public safety hazard. Public is the key word there.

[@lexoticsjyl3229]

Michael Johnson just smoke weed

[@sharpshepherd]

Even though I quit smoking I totally support the right of people to decide their own fate and future. I support smokers and I would love to have a business like the owner featured in this piece.

[@danmcdonald22]

@rubbersole79 Don't give the government any more ideas.

[@darkENhandsome]

@Vitaminous Well thanks to the smoking ban in public places (including bars and clubs) in my country (UK), I'm no longer a victim as I can go out and don't have to endure it any longer. And I would say I was a victim of smokers, not a victim of society as a whole. It isn't the whole society that smokes - just smokers. And they can smoke as much as they want, so long as they keep it away from me.

[@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts]

Smoking is a relentless killer. I urge whoever is reading this, look to the life of Solomone Tonga, he quit, so can you.

[@jetrpg22]

@TigerghostPictures They are still free to smoke, just not where they want to. In hitter's Germany the Jews were free, just not they way they wanted to be. Think I am being sarcastic ... I am not. Reductio ad absurdum my friend. Say i smoke in your restaurant, get fined, did it 100 times, refused to pay, and garnishments. I will be jailed eventually. Am i free in jail? No. You FORCE PEOPLE to behave how you prefer (you move), instead of changing your own behavior (i'll move).

[@american1476]

government needs to leave private industry alone

[@gulbirk]

@sadlsore Ok, thats fine. But the reason why the governments stepped in was also to create an equal oppertunity. Because it was allowed in all bars, and it is dangerous.

[@rickweiss2793]

High Fructose Corn Syrup😡 YOU’RE NEXT! 😆 as if!

[@rkulla]

What an ignorant "doctor" then. Studies show that smoking makes anxiety worse.