US: Not only is smoking banned in New York public places, but even having an ashtray on the premises can bring a citation and a fine from the New York Health Department.
Of 2,300 summonses for violations since the smoking ban was imposed on May 1st, some 200 were for ashtray violations according to health officials.
One of the offenders was Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair, whose Times Square building was raided by enforcers of the ban after complaints that he smoked in his office.
The inspectors did not find anyone smoking but issued summonses because they found ashtrays in the office.
"Any city that allows you to keep a loaded gun in your office but not an ashtray is one with its priorities seriously out of whack," Mr Carter told the New York Times.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says that presence of ashtrays and the absence of no-smoking signs represented a violation of the ban, which applies to offices, shops, restaurants and bars.
While most New Yorkers approve the smoking ban, the "nanny state" mentality of the mayor's policies has helped to drive down his approval ratings. A Quinnipiac University Poll last week found only 37 per cent of voters approve of his actions, down from 42 per cent in October.