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.