NEW YORK - Yesterday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law a bill banning smoking outdoors in the city, CBS New York reports. The measure forbids smoking in the city??s 14 miles of pedestrian plazas, marinas, boardwalks and beaches, as well as in close to 1,700 parks. The law goes into effect May 23. Breaking the law could result in a $100 fine.

"People who have made the decision not to smoke have civil liberties too and their health and their lives should not be negatively impacted because other people have decided to smoke," said Christine Quinn, speaker of the City Council.

On Feb. 2, the City Council passed the bill, but not without detractors, both on the council and outside. Council members who disapproved the prohibition said it blocked individual rights.

"We have this crazy idea that we can change the way people behave. You can??t have salt, you can??t have sugar. Hop on a bicycle because it??s bad to drive your car. It??s ridiculous. What??s next?" said minority whip Eric Ulrich.

The bill outraged smokers. "We??re outside. We should have freedom to smoke," said Harvey Forbes, who was smoking in City Park.

While the U.S. Constitution does not allow for the right to smoke, civil libertarians think outlawing outdoor smoking is not right. "I think we??re moving towards a nanny state where government thinks they know what??s best for its citizens. You can inform, educate and persuade, but don??t take away our freedoms," said Norman Siegal.

Others wonder how secondhand smoke outdoors can be harmful. "What is the documentary evidence that secondhand smoke on the street is bad for you? It??s a tough sell. There??s a lot of air out here, not that much cigarette smoke," said Daniel Feldman, public management professor of John Jay College.