As of Mon., May 23, smoking will be illegal in New York City’s public parks and on its public beaches. Signs alerting people to this fact have been posted at parks and beaches in all five boroughs. Philip Abramson, a Parks Department spokesperson, said of the new law, “It will be enforced by Park Enforcement Patrol officers and the fine on the books is $50. But the intent is for New Yorkers to self-enforce it, and PEP will first advise people to put out the cigarettes, with summonsing as a last resort.”
