Bill would ban smoking on LIRR platforms

Call it a legislative nicotine patch.

Outdoor Long Island Rail Road platforms - one of the last legal places for passengers to light up - would become smoke-free under a bill introduced in the State Assembly.

Assemb. Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) hopes to ban smoking in all LIRR and Metro-North Railroad ticketing, boarding and waiting areas. Smoking already is prohibited in trains, enclosed terminals and stations.

The bill is one of several efforts to prohibit smoking in outdoor public places.

Earlier this month, Great Neck Village banned smoking on sidewalks in its commercial area. New York City officials are considering a ban on smoking at parks, playgrounds and beaches.

A bill submitted by Assemb. Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) seeks to stop smoking at public beaches, parks and golf courses unless in designated areas.

Late last session, Jaffee introduced a similar bill, but it failed to get out of committee. She introduced her new bill Jan. 5 and still lacks a State Senate co-sponsor.

But State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. (R-Merrick), said Wednesday he would speak with Jaffe to learn more about the bill. Fuschillo, who authored the 2003 Clean Indoor Air Act, now is chairman of the transportation committee.

"I'm always interested in protecting the public from secondhand smoke," Fuschillo said in Albany. "I will talk with the bill sponsor to understand the intent of the legislation."

In the Assembly, two Long Island lawmakers, Earlene Hooper (D-Hempstead) and Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach), are backing the smoking ban on LIRR platforms.

Jaffee's persistence in limiting public smoking comes from the lung cancer deaths of two friends as well as worries about secondhand smoke.

"For many years, I've always had concerns about the impact of cigarettes and tobacco on the health of members of the community," she said.

Long Island Rail Road commuter reaction broke down along predictable lines, with smokers crying foul and nonsmokers applauding.

"It's terrible," said Pete Maselli, an Island Park motorcycle mechanic smoking at Jamaica Station. "They are taking away our rights and making us out to be criminals."

Christopher Caffano, a Garden City attorney, supported the effort to clear platform air. "It can be a very confined space sometimes, so if you're smoking it's a health hazard to all," he said.

New Jersey state law has prohibited smoking on NJ Transit buses, terminals and platforms since the 2006 enactment of a broad smoking ban. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority prohibits smoking on agency property and vehicles. Metra, the Northeast Illinois commuter rail system, bans smoking on trains, in stations or within 15 feet of stations and enclosed entrances.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates both the LIRR and Metro North, has not commented on the proposed ban.

With Candice Ferrette and James T. Madore