Smoke Free NYC?

You know, maybe it was my powerful gift for self-delusion, but I really thought that Mayor Michael Bloomberg's war on cigarettes was one of those weird, but ultimately harmless, obsessions that occasionally consume politicos -- like Jimmy Carter and thermostats or Ed Meese and porn -- and make a big, scary stink and then fade away.

Not so, Mr. Bloomberg's kink.

The freakin' City Council voted to approve Bloomberg's ban on workplace smoking by a 42-7 margin. As a result, most bars and restaurants in New York City will be smoke free by spring.

This fade-out is gonna be awhile.