Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to sign legislation into law today that bans smoking in many public spaces around the five boroughs.

nder the new law, smoking will be banned in the city’s 1,700 parks and 14 miles of public beaches and. City pools and recreation centers will also be smoke free.

The bill also bans smoking in city pedestrian plazas, where people congregate.

Violators could face a $50 fine.

The goal is to reduce secondhand smoke – and trash. But those who spoke with NY1 earlier today were split as to whether this new legislation is a positive thing for the city.

“There’s a lot of kids and all that second-hand smoke, it’s killing everybody so I think it’s a good idea,” said one New Yorker.

“A lot of smokers are starting to get a little upset about it, because we abide by the rules, we don’t smoke in bars, we don’t smoke in restaurants, but when does it stop?” asked another. “Are you going to stop everything? We’re going to police everything now?”

The City Council overwhelmingly approved the measure earlier this month.  [NY1]