UN Envoys Fume Over New York Smoking Ban

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 9-4-2003 | Simon English

[blam]

UN envoys fume over New York smoking ban

By Simon English in New York
(Filed: 04/09/2003)

A diplomatic confrontation between American authorities and much of the rest of the world intensified yesterday as senior officials at the United Nations insisted on their right to smoke in the organisation's headquarters.

Casting aside petty differences and forging new allegiances, UN ambassadors said they would ignore New York's smoking ban, imposed five months ago and extended to the UN this week.

A directive signed by Kofi Annan, the secretary-general, demanded that "no smoking shall be permitted in any of the UN premises at headquarters", in line with the anti-smoking fixation of Michael Bloomberg, New York's mayor. But at the UN building, Mr Annan and Mr Bloomberg faced rebellion. Despite warnings from UN officials that anyone caught puffing in the building would face "disciplinary action", smokers lit up and inhaled deeply.

The Russian ambassador, Sergey Lavrov, seen marching to the delegates' lounge for a smoke, said Mr Annan "doesn't own this building".

[wimpycat]

The Russian ambassador, Sergey Lavrov, seen marching to the delegates' lounge for a smoke, said Mr Annan "doesn't own this building".

LOL! The Russian was like, "And what are you going to do about it? Pass a resolution against me? LOL!"

Man, I knew this would NOT go over well, the Russians and other Eastern Europeans and most of the third-world smoke more than Bette Davis in "Now, Voyager".

[EggsAckley]

Oh, this is hysterical. I can see a SNL or Tracey Ullman skit here.
LOL!

[dts32041]

Bet they don't pay mikey's taxes either?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Good for them.

Too bad NYC will let them do as they please while they will issue summonses for US citizens breaking the same law.

[wimpycat]

I hope they keep on ignoring it, and then when the rest of New Yorkers see the UN guys getting away with it--one of two things can happen. They'll get even more pissed off at the UN, or they'll say, "Hey! If you're not going to enforce the law against them, then you can't enforce it against us!" and proceed to light up.

[wimpycat]

Maybe the UN will open up a smoking "sanctuary" for New Yorkers...let the public in there. That will further cause tension, either between New Yorkers and the UN, or New Yorkers and Bloomberg's Volstead-Act-like law. Either way, something good might come of it.

[Madame Dufarge]

This is hilarious.

The Battle of the Bureaucrats.

I just love the Onion.

[southernnorthcarolina]

There is a long-established inverse relationship between smoking and intelligence levels, for obvious reasons. I am therefore not in the least surprised that UN delegates and employees are upset.

[Madame Dufarge]

Smoke ring ping.

[stubernx98]

Say, lets move the UN to Saudi Arabia, no drinking, no smoking, no showing face.

[Madame Dufarge]

Say, lets move the UN to Saudi Arabia, no drinking, no smoking, no showing face

Well, not for the little pipples anyway.

[FreedomCalls]

Despite warnings from UN officials that anyone caught puffing in the building would face "disciplinary action", smokers lit up and inhaled deeply.

They have diplomatic immunity. There's nothing Kofi can do no matter how much he huffs.

[Madame Dufarge]

There is a long-established inverse relationship between smoking and intelligence levels, for obvious reasons. I am therefore not in the least surprised that UN delegates and employees are upset.

What a neat little package for an anti-smoking snot.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"There is a long-established inverse relationship between smoking and intelligence levels, for obvious reasons."

Oh really?

Is that inverse relationship anything like Ohm's law?

Your painting with an awful broad brush there.

And just to let you know something....I'm 36, been lightly smoking for 20 years, have a physical every year with chest x-ray which is still normal, and would have NO problem keeping up with you or anyother smoke knatzie on any kind of run, walk or any other physical activity.

[cavtrooper21]

I find it rather funny that the UN wants to ban our guns but gets upset when we ban their cigs....
They should just "suck" it up.

[cavtrooper21]

Well.
Dang nabbit! I'ze allay's wondered about why I cain't count to moren' tten on my toes ...
Go fly a kite...

[Great Dane]

Wow, some members actually speaking up for democracy, must be a first for the UN.

[Great Dane]

What a neat little package for an anti-smoking snot.

LOL, thank you again.