NY law bans smoking on MTA platforms

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed a law to ban smoking on the upstate and Long Island platforms of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's commuter trains to protect other passengers from secondhand smoke. The new law prohibits smoking in outdoor spaces for ticketing, boarding or platforms of train stations operated by the MTA or its subsidiaries, including the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North. Signed on Aug. 15, it will take effect in 90 days. New York City and New Jersey stations already have similar restrictions. Cuomo says it is important that commuters are not unwillingly subjected to secondhand smoke while waiting for trains, saying exposure can lead to health problems and the measure will make ticketing and boarding areas cleaner and healthier.