Via Politicker:

Fresh off a setback in his effort to ban large soda cups in restaurants, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is out with another health initiative that could cause controversy: requiring stores to keep cigarette packs out of sight.

“New York City has dramatically lowered our smoking rate, but even one new smoker is one too many – especially when it’s a young person,” Mayor Bloomberg announced in a press release. “Young people are targets of marketing and the availability of cigarettes and this legislation will help prevent another generation from the ill health and shorter life expectancy that comes with smoking.”

The bill will be introduced at Mr. Bloomberg’s request by Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo, the chair of the Health Committee, but will still have to make its way through the City Council to become law.