By Rich Bockmann
Commuters lighting up while waiting to catch a ride on the Long Island or Metro North railroads may feel a burn if Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs into law a bill that would ban smoking on train platforms.
The state Legislature Friday passed a bill that amended the state’s public health law by adding the ticketing, boarding and platform areas of the railroad stations operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to the list of places — such as restaurants and bars — where smokers can already receive a fine for lighting up.
The bill is in the state Assembly waiting to be sent to the governor’s desk, where he has until Dec. 31 to sign it into law. The proposed ban arrives on the heels of a City Council-imposed ban on smoking in parks, beaches and pedestrian plazas that went into effect last month.
“The idea is to limit the dangers of second-hand smoke,” said Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck), who co-sponsored the bill. Weprin also introduced a bill in the Assembly that would prohibit smoking in private vehicles carrying a minor under 14 years of age as a passenger. That bill has not yet been voted on.
“Public places like the LIRR platform are a confined area, and people shouldn’t be forced to breathe in the second-hand smoke,” the assemblyman said. “People have no choice but to get on the train.”
On the platform at the Bayside LIRR station Monday, reactions were as varied and idiosyncratic as are smokers’ brand preferences. One smoker named Helen lit up as she was climbing the stairs after arriving on an afternoon train.
“I think it’s a good idea, even though I’m a smoker,” she said with her slim cigarette perched between her fingers. “There are plenty of people that don’t smoke. I try to be as discreet as possible. It’s also cleaner and safer for fires on the track.”
Bayside resident Rufina Lau puffed away as she talked on her phone waiting to catch a Manhattan-bound train.
“I disagree [with the proposed ban] because you should be able to smoke wherever you want when you’re outdoors,” she said.
Though she no longer smokes in parks, Lau said she did not think the proposed ban would change her platform smoking habits.
“I don’t think it would be enforced,” she said.
“I hate to be an ex-smoker and complain,” said a man named Neil. “I think smoking is awful.”
He said he thought the ban on smoking in parks was over-reaching, but was still unsure about train platforms.
“People are trying to get the train to work,” he said. “What are they supposed to do — go up [to the street] and miss their train?”
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
