Proposal Would Ban Smoking While Walking on NYC Sidewalks

New York City Councilman Peter Koo is so tired of walking on the sidewalk behind people who are smoking he wants to see them punished.

According to the New York Daily News, the Queens Democrat introduced a bill Wednesday that would outlaw walking on the sidewalk in any of the city's five boroughs while smoking.

"It has happened to me many times — I'm walking behind someone who's smoking, and I'm suffering for five or 10 minutes," Koo said. "I see mothers with their strollers walking behind people who smoke, and they're exposing the baby to secondhand smoke."

Violating the ordinance would result in a $50 fine, the same punishment given if people are caught smoking in public parks.

"In a perfect world, every smoker would have the self awareness to realize smoking while walking subjects everyone behind you to the fumes," Koo said.

Smoking in bars, restaurants, office buildings, and all other businesses has been illegal in New York State since 2003.

New York City announced last fall 13.1 percent of its residents are smokers, down from 15.5 percent in 2012.

• FDA May Restrict Tobacco Flavors, Menthol
• FDA Begins Push to Cut Nicotine in Cigarettes