NYC bans smoking in parks, beaches from May 23
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a law Tuesday banning smoking in parks, beaches and other public places, Kazakhstan Today reports.
Almaty. February 23. Kazakhstan Today - Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a law Tuesday banning smoking in parks, beaches and other public places, Kazakhstan Today reports.
Smoking in New York City's parks, beaches, boardwalks, pedestrian plazas and other public spaces will be banned from May 23 despite complaints about excessive meddling by government in people's private lives, Reuters reported.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed the legislation on Tuesday after the city council voted 36 to 12 in favor of the smoking restrictions earlier this month. The law extends the city's existing ban on smoking in restaurants and bars.
"Frederick Law Olmsted hailed public parks as the 'lungs of the city' - a haven where one could escape the overcrowded, noisy and polluted streets," Bloomberg said in a statement. "We need to ensure that our public spaces provide just that - a healthy place in which to relax and enjoy the surroundings."
New York City's parks department will enforce the ban, which said it would give a warning before issuing a $50 fine. Police will not enforce the ban.
"This is tyranny, rationalized by a lie," said Audrey Silk, director of New York Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment. "That second hand smoke is harming anybody outside is an absolute lie."
She said that her organization plans to organize an outdoor "smoke-in" on May 23.
Bloomberg has also promoted health measures including a ban on trans fats in restaurant food and a requirement that chain restaurants display calorie counts on menus.
Bloomberg is campaigning nationally for food companies to cut salt levels in their products and for the federal government to ban the purchase of sugary drinks with food stamps - federal vouchers used by 42 million low-income Americans to buy food.
New Yorkers can smoke on sidewalks, parking lots, streets and in their homes, although most landlords don't allow it.
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Images | Kazakh MFA
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In his welcoming speech, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Bulgaria Viktor Temirbayev stressed that Kazakhstan is a country with an extremely rich history and culture, located in the heart of Eurasia, at the crossroads of the world's oldest civilizations, at the intersection of transport arteries, economic and social, cultural and ideological ties between East and West, South and North, between Europe and Asia. The Kazakh diplomat noted that all this served as a powerful foundation in the formation of modern Kazakhstan as a strong, independent and dynamically developing state.
In his welcoming speech, Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv Plamen Panov highlighted the achievements in the development of Kazakhstan, noted the high level of bilateral relations. In addition, the Deputy Mayor spoke highly about the fascinating nature of Kazakhstan.
In turn, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan Plamen Panchev stressed that the vector of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the regions of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria will continue to develop for the benefit of our people.
The guests of the event were able to enjoy photographs of unique nature, landscapes of picturesque landscapes, flora and fauna of Kazakhstan.
This photo exhibition will be open to residents and visitors of the city until April 30, 2024.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, which is more than 8000 years old, leading its chronicle from prehistoric times to the present day, and is the most dynamically developing center of Southern Bulgaria.
The Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Plovdiv has been open since December 15, 2023.
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Over 300 babies born in flood-stricken areas in Kazakhstan
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Most babies were born in Kostanay, Aktobe and West Kazakhstan regions since the beginning of the floods, Aigerim Urazaliyeva, the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry’s official spokesperson, said.
5,035 children from flood-hit regions are staying at temporary shelters of which 62 were taken to hospitals.
She noted over 1,000 people sought psychological assistance.
7,617 flood victims have chronic diseases. All of them are monitored by health workers, she added.
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2 schools shifted to online learning amid flooding in N Kazakhstan
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First Kazakh Senate Speaker passes away
Images | senate.parlam.kz
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Baigeldi Omirbek was born in 1939 in Dzhambul region, KazSSR.
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Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China officially opens in Beijing
Images | Kunsultan Otarbai/Kazinform
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