The Nation - News from Feb. 15, 1988

New York rail commuters who smoke will have to go cold turkey to and from work under a smoking ban that takes effect today on Long Island and Metro-North Commuter trains. The ban was approved last month by the rail lines’ parent agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, after Congress threatened to cut off $539 million a year in federal funds if smoking were not banned. Although Metro-North, which serves Westchester County and Connecticut, would have been unaffected by the cut, the MTA voted to ban smoking on all trains to have a uniform policy. Smokers who light up can be fined $100. Because today is the Presidents’ Day holiday, the impact of the ban is not expected to be felt until Tuesday, a normal working day.