BANNED IN NEW YORK: smoking, super-sized sodas, styrofoam and...pinball machines?

**FILE** Various size cups and sugar cubes are displayed May 31, 2012, at a news conference at New York's City Hall. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks in the city's restaurants, delis and movie theaters in the hopes of combating obesity, an expansion of his administration's efforts to encourage healthy behavior by limiting residents' choices. (Associated Press)The latest item on mayor Bloomberg's hit list is Styrofoam. NYC considering a ban on Styrofoam cups and containers. In an effort to increase the city's recycling capabilities, City Hall is looking into new recycling machinery which isn't built to handle Styrofoam.  A Mayor's aide said “If something is not recyclable, we want to find an alternative for that packaging or product.” 


Banning Styrofoam cups may seem fairly innocent, but it is part of a larger trend during mayor Bloomberg's administration to make New Yorkers healthier.  The most recent - and highly-controversial ban was on extra-large sized sodas,which will come into full effect next month.  The Mayor would like to see the Big Apple lose a few pounds so the City also compelled restaurants to post the calorie counts of meals, helping people decide what they should or shouldn't eat.


Taking a smoking break
from trading stocks
After instituting an apparently highly successful ban on cigarette smoking from public places, including restaurants, bars, offices, parks, beaches, and even Times Square, City Hall is now testing the waters on banning smoking in private apartments! 


But the best ban of all time has to be 


When Pinball Was Illegal in New York (and Chicago and L.A.)

In 1942, New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia thought the mafia was behind pinball machine racket robing the city's children of their loose change.  Police were authorized to smash any pinball machines they found.  In 1976, the The NYC pinball prohibition ended  in large part due to the efforts of the Amusement and Music Operators Association. 
And though you cant smoke a cigarette in public places or chug a giant soda in the Big Apple, you can still play a great game of pinball at these venues that have pinball machines. Release your inner Pinball Wizard!