For the first violation of the ban, a fine of $200 is imposed, and repeat offenders risk losing their trade licenses. According to the BBC, the new measures affect 13,000 bars and restaurants that were previously not covered by the 1995 law banning smoking in restaurants with more than 35 seats.
It is believed that there are 1.3 million smokers in New York. They are not at all happy that New York is turning from the “City That Never Sleeps” into the “City That Doesn’t Smoke”.