It’s a favorite conceit of mine that wherever I happen to live is the absolute coolest place in the world. For the past 6 years this place has been the East Village in New York City, or more precisely, the block of St. Marks Place between Avenue A and B [er, 1st Ave.–Ed.]. My block has everything you need for full-bore living–from Irish pub to Moroccan cafe to Italian restaurant to Korean sushi to experimental theatre to vegan bakery (ugh)…

So how does one move from such a place with the conviction that whatever is next will be the new coolest? You depend on Mayor Bloomberg. He’s decided he’s going to turn New York City into a Californian health spa, by pushing for a total ban on smoking in all bars and restaurants. He’s been on something of a roll recently–raising cigarette prices to about $7.50, which has led to a 50% drop in cigarette sales, down to 16 million packs a month. That’s not a 50% drop in consumption, though; most people now buy cigarettes in New Jersey or upstate New York, or on Indian reserves.

I don’t smoke, of course. But St. Dymphnas without smoke is like alcohol-free beer. Cafe Pick-Me-Up without overflowing ashtrays is like rap without swearing. What’s the point?

A week from now, I’ll be on my way to Israel, there to visit friends and family, then a week or 2 in the Mediterranean before ending up in Stockholm September 18. They smoke there. Cool.

[Fri, Aug 09 2002 – 18:19] Cole (www) (email) he sounds strange

i think we should trip him

[Sat, Aug 10 2002 – 16:24] Manuel (email) To really be “like California” the Mayor needs to convince New Yorkers to cast scornful stares if you light up on the sidewalk.

[Mon, Aug 12 2002 – 11:07] Matthew (email) hate to mention it stefan, but you don’t like between A and B. that would be in the middle of tomkins square, and last i looked, you weren’t that hard up.

[Mon, Aug 12 2002 – 11:07] Matthew (email) shit, i mean, you don’t LIVE between etc…

[Mon, Aug 12 2002 – 20:34] *g Benson & Hedges – 200 cigarettes filtre for $ 21 – god bless the duty free and travelling friends! and UN – for “No” to smoking-free policy.