The end of March sees the start of the enforcement of Local Law 47, New York City's 2002 Smoke-free Air Act.

The legislation, announced by mayor Michael Bloomberg and city council leaders in August 2002, expands the city's 1995 Smoke-free Act by prohibiting smoking in bars, restaurants of any size, offices, pool and bingo halls, bowling alleys and other indoor areas.

Bloomberg said he was proud the city was taking a lead in tackling 'the devastating consequences of smoking'and that no one should have to breathe poison to hold a job or frequent an indoor public space.

Studies have shown that, where smoking is permitted, restaurant and bar staff have a 50 per cent higher risk of lung cancer than other workers. Health commissioner, Thomas Frieden, said: Second-hand smoke kills approximately 1,000 New York City residents annually.

Smoking has been banned in bars and restaurants in California since 1998 and at the time Local Law 47 was proposed in New York, research had revealed that sales of beer, wine and liquor in taverns increased in every quarter in 1998, 1999 and 2000, the last year for which data was available. Details: www.nyc.gov