New York plans to ban smoking outdoors

New York City officials have announced a plan to ban smoking outdoors.

Smoking outside could soon be illegal in New York

City officials said that the new legislation would outlaw smoking in parks, beaches, marinas, boardwalks and pedestrian plazas throughout the American city.

That means no smoking in Central Park or on the Coney Island boardwalk.

People who break the ban could be issued with quality-of-life summonses by the parks department.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said in the past he was sceptical the city could pass such an expansive smoking ban.

But the staunchly anti-tobacco mayor said in July he was waiting for a final city report on the idea. Mayor Bloomberg introduced New York's ban on smoking inside public places in March 2003.

The City Council legislation will require hearings before the full 51-member body can vote.

Other states and cities nationwide have similar bans in parks and beaches.

Australia, Germany, Ireland, the UK and most recently Spain have all implement variations on a ban in smoking inside public places.