Suffolk smoking ban leaves smokers and nonsmokers to work together

Cigarettes have been successfully banned from most indoor public places, but now the battle moves outside, and some aren't on board.

Smoking at parks or beaches in Suffolk County will soon be banned after a bill was passed last week. But if you choose to be a rebel and light up anyway, there will be no fine or penalty -- just judgment from your fellow patrons.

How do you enforce a law with no consequences?

This isn't 1954; we know the consequences of the addictive tar sticks on both the consumer and those in the vicinity. Even people who smoke will admit that being engulfed in a plume of nicotine, arsenic and whatever else isn't pleasant.

And when nonsmokers are engulfed, they're never happy, and they let you know it. Whether it's simply a glaring look or a verbal assault about the damage being done to the surrounding people and environment, nonsmokers are passionate about keeping their lungs clean.

Many people take a smoke break to think or relax, but it certainly isn't relaxing or conducive to thinking clearly when you're being harassed and judged. Some smokers argue that outdoor bans go too far because of the other party's ability to walk away or the lack of walls confining the smoke to a cloud with no escape.

Sure, wind will blow the smoke away, but to where? The toxins remain in the air and the disgusting smell lingers.

The legislation focused more on areas where children often went, striking golf courses from the bill. Suffolk joins New York City in the outdoor smoking-ban battle, but Nassau County and most LI towns still permit smoking outside.

Smokers and nonsmokers must learn to coexist and each party has rights. Smokers have the right to light up and nonsmokers have the right to clean air.