From Reuters
Running Out for a Smoke -- and Not Stopping
Fri May 2, 2003 08:21 AM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg's smoking ban in New York bars and restaurants has given a new twist to the old bar prank of drinking and running.
The Daily News calls it "the smoke and scram" -- customers order, drink, excuse themselves to smoke a cigarette outside but do not return to pay their tab.
Bar owners say they cannot pay for extra staff to patrol the sidewalks. But at least one New York bar manager believes he has what it takes to catch the dodgers.
"I can run. I can jump the bar. I can chase them down the block," Rod Williams of the Subway Inn in Manhattan told the Daily News.
Since 1995, smoking has been banned in city restaurants with more than 35 seats. But smaller establishments, pubs with separate bar areas and stand-alone bars were exempt -- until a new law took effect March 30.
The law, initiated by former smoker Bloomberg, allowed for a 30-day grace period that ended at midnight on Wednesday.
Similar to California's anti-smoking statute and one of the stiffest in the United States, it subjects owners to fines of between $200 and $400 for a first offense and $500 to $1,000 for a second offense. The licenses of repeat offenders can be revoked.
In recent days, Manhattan's sidewalks have been chock full of huddled smokers taking a break from their revelries. But, it seems the new smoking ban does not apply to everybody.
The Daily News gossip column on Thursday said Princess Caroline of Monaco lit up at the trendy Le Cirque eatery recently. "Nobody had the nerve to tell her to put out her cigarette," one observer told the tabloid.
Running Out for a Smoke -- and Not Stopping
Fri May 2, 2003 08:21 AM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg's smoking ban in New York bars and restaurants has given a new twist to the old bar prank of drinking and running.
The Daily News calls it "the smoke and scram" -- customers order, drink, excuse themselves to smoke a cigarette outside but do not return to pay their tab.
Bar owners say they cannot pay for extra staff to patrol the sidewalks. But at least one New York bar manager believes he has what it takes to catch the dodgers.
"I can run. I can jump the bar. I can chase them down the block," Rod Williams of the Subway Inn in Manhattan told the Daily News.
Since 1995, smoking has been banned in city restaurants with more than 35 seats. But smaller establishments, pubs with separate bar areas and stand-alone bars were exempt -- until a new law took effect March 30.
The law, initiated by former smoker Bloomberg, allowed for a 30-day grace period that ended at midnight on Wednesday.
Similar to California's anti-smoking statute and one of the stiffest in the United States, it subjects owners to fines of between $200 and $400 for a first offense and $500 to $1,000 for a second offense. The licenses of repeat offenders can be revoked.
In recent days, Manhattan's sidewalks have been chock full of huddled smokers taking a break from their revelries. But, it seems the new smoking ban does not apply to everybody.
The Daily News gossip column on Thursday said Princess Caroline of Monaco lit up at the trendy Le Cirque eatery recently. "Nobody had the nerve to tell her to put out her cigarette," one observer told the tabloid.
That's a lot of cigarettes! I didn't know there was enough time in a day to smoke that many!
It'll certainly get you on your way to the next world fast enough if you're really bored... 
