LIRR outside smoking ban begins Nov. 13

If you see something, say something. Watch the gap. And, for goodness sake, put that cigarette out already.

That's the message coming from the MTA, which Wednesday voted to ban smoking in most outdoor areas of Long Island Rail Road stations -- making the commute more tolerable for some nonsmoking riders, but a real drag for customers accustomed to lighting up at station platforms.

It stinks, said Justin Kostoff, 19, who puffed on a cigarette at the Valley Stream station Wednesday afternoon while awaiting a train to Long Beach, where he lives. "It's nice to be able to take the edge off and smoke while you're waiting for a train."

The new policy, which takes effect Nov. 13, complies with a new state law signed in August prohibiting smoking at outdoor "ticketing, boarding or platform areas" of the MTA's two commuter railroads -- the LIRR and Metro-North Railroad.

The MTA's new policy specifically says a person cannot "burn a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco or any tobacco substitute" at the newly restricted areas.

Smoking has been banned inside LIRR trains and indoor areas since 1990.

"We supported the legislation and appreciated the Governor signing into law the ban on smoking in outdoor locations at LIRR stations," LIRR president Helena Williams said in a statement. "The majority of our customers and employees are eagerly awaiting a smoke-free environment at our outdoor areas."

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

In addition to promoting health and safety, Williams said the new policy will help prevent track fires started by discarded cigarettes.

The LIRR plans to publicize the ban in coming weeks through literature distributed on trains, signs at stations and station announcements recorded by celebrities including New York sports legends Joe Namath and Tommy John.

Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick), who proposed the ban, said he was "pleased" the MTA was moving forward in implementing the policy.

"Once this new law takes effect, passengers will no longer have to be exposed to harmful secondhand smoke while they wait for their train," Fuschillo said.

But Audrey Silk, founder of the Brooklyn-based Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, said the law is a cover for the state officials' goal of reducing the number of places people can smoke "in the hopes they'll quit out of frustration."

"There is no justifiable reason for this ban," Silk said. "They are perpetrating a fraud that outdoor smoking is harming anyone."