These are trying times for smokers in New York City. It began over the summer with that monumental tax increase that left crappy-ass regular cigarettes at upwards of $7 a pack, and my ridiculous lung-searing cloves started going for $8 or $8.50. I wriggled out of that one in August by ordering a carton from esmokes.com, which has served me rather well - I was concerned that having an enormous quantity of cancer sticks readily available would lead to a dramatic increase in my smoking, but that hasn’t proven to be the case (I’ve still got three packs left, five months later), and at $29 for the box I’m paying less than $3 a pack.

Then came word that this summer, a new restriction will be imposed: only self-extinguishing cigarettes can be sold in New York, in an attempt to reduce the number of cigarette-related fires. The major tobacco companies have already stated that they don’t expect to get their products up to code by the deadline, meaning that for an undetermined length of time it’s entirely possible that it won’t be possible to buy cigarettes here at all. Again, this one doesn’t affect me personally since I’m now ordering my lung disease directly from suppliers on the web, but I imagine it’s a bit rough on anyone who actually enjoys the privilege of buying a pack of cigarettes, you know, at the store.

Now, however, things are going even further. Next week, legislators will vote on Bloomberg’s plan to ban smoking in clubs and bars in New York City. Smoking hasn’t been permitted in restaurants above a certain seating capacity for quite a while, but this new law will include nearly all other indoor environments. Exceptions include separate smoking rooms meeting strict ventilation requirements, although it eliminates existing smoking rooms in places like school staff lounges and sports venues.

This baby’s probably going to deal the death blow to my Djarum indulgence. Bars and clubs are almost the only places I do smoke - it’s some weird social side effect, I’m sure, but I rarely smoke when I’m at my apartment, which seems to be the only place I’ll be allowed to light up come March. People whose smoking habits aren’t as tenuous as mine will probably be forced to choose between their nicotine and their nightlife - not to mention all the poor stoner kids who will no longer be able to pretend that’s not pot they’re smoking at Batcave.