Stars flout NY smoking ban by lighting up at the Met gala

August 2024 · 5 minute read

Smoking was banned in New York's restaurants, bars and clubs in 2003, but that didn't stop a host of celebrity smokers from sparking up inside the Met Gala.

Stars including Bella Hadid, Dakota Johnson and Frances Bean Cobain threw caution to the wind as they rebelliously lit up indoors while taking a break from the circus of the evening's fashionable festivities.

Although a no selfie policy was put in place at the event by organiser Anna Wintour, a number of showbusiness' biggest names posed for snaps while puffing away in one of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's bathrooms.

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Caution to the wind: Dakota Johnson was one of the many stars snapped breaking the New York smoking ban as pal Rita Ora captured her enjoying a smoke in the bathroom

Caution to the wind: Dakota Johnson was one of the many stars snapped breaking the New York smoking ban as pal Rita Ora captured her enjoying a smoke in the bathroom at the Met Gala on Monday

Fifty Shades of Grey starlet Dakota Johnson, 27, was one of the stars snapped breaking the smoking ban as pal Rita Ora, 26, captured her enjoying a smoke while clad in her ruffle detailed Gucci show-stopper.

Caught on camera by the British popstar, the American beauty appeared carefree as she sparked up in her haute couture. Appearing impressed by her defiant pal, Rita caption the photo on her Snapchat: 'Sex on legs'.

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Later, the beauty shared another snap of her fellow attendee and Mr Robot actor Rami Malek, 35, leaning against the bathroom's basin as the film star held a cigarette in his mouth.

Lighting up: Internet users also called out people like Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek for being disrespectful around priceless works of art

Lighting up: Rita Ora also shared a snap of her fellow attendee and Mr Robot actor Rami Malek, 35, leaning against the bathroom's basin as the film star held a cigarette in his mouth

Matching each other in complementing red looks, the Larry Crowe actor posed with his thumb up as Rita captured the moment. 

Supermodel Bella Hadid, 20, also proved the bathroom was the place to break rules with selfies and smoking as she relaxed on the tiled floor, equipped with a cigarette in her hand.

Wearing her Alexander Wang catsuit, the Californian style maven appeared at ease as she joined model Lara Stone, 33, actress' Paris Jackson, 19, and Ruby Rose, 31, for their impromptu smoke break, having taken part in Kylie Jenner's now famous bathroom selfie from the event.

Time out: Bella Hadid puffed away near Lara Stone, Paris Jackson, and Ruby Rose 

Time out: Bella Hadid, 20, appeared at ease as she joined model Lara Stone, 33, actress' Paris Jackson, 19, and Ruby Rose, 31, for their impromptu smoke break (Picture L-R)

Inside the Met Gala: The bathroom was host to a sort of side-party with stars smoking and taking plenty of selfies

Inside the Met Gala: Kylie Jenner posted an epic star-studded selfie which featured Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Lily Aldridge, A$AP Rocky, Puff Daddy, Brie Larson, and Paris 

Other stars captured smoking indoors at the modern art filled museum include designer Marc Jacobs, 54, Courtney Love, 52, and her daughter Frances Bean Cobain, 24, who appeared to turn a blind eye to the fact they were smoking in a building filled with invaluable artworks.

About New York's Smoking Ban

In 2003, the Clean Indoor Act went into effect, banning smoking from all enclosed workplaces restaurants, bars and construction sites

Smoking on parks, boardwalks, beaches, recreation centers, swimming pools and pedestrian plazas was soon after deemed illegal in 2011

Residents and tourists alike face fines up fines up to $100 (£62) if they smoke in any of the city’s 1,700 parks - including Central Park - and along its 14 miles of coastline

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Sharing the image on Twitter, he captioned the lawless snap: 'Smoking in the girls room #metgala @chardefrancesco @Courtney @alka_seltzer666'. 

The stars' disobedient behaviour goes against New York's smoking ban - which was first introduced in 2003 by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, making it illegal to light up in bars and restaurants.

Later the ban was extended to include parks and beaches, giving it some of the strictest rules on lighting up in the world.

Residents and tourists alike face fines of up to $100 (£62) if they smoke in any of the city’s 1,700 parks – including Central Park – and along its 14 miles of coastline. The ban also covers public plazas such as Times Square.  

In 2014, the mayor made it against the law for anyone under 21 to purchase cigarettes, tobacco products and e-cigarettes, meaning stars like Bella Hadid and Paris Jackson would be underage purchasing them.

Parks department officials, not police, will hand out fines to those caught lighting up. Councillors also expect it will be self-enforced, with the public reminding smokers it is illegal to light up. 

Rule breakers: Stars like designer Marc Jacobs and Frances Bean Cobain could face fines of up to $400 for the offense, should it be reported to 311 and investiaged

Rule breakers: Other stars captured smoking indoors at the modern art filled museum include designer Marc Jacobs, 54, Courtney Love, 52, and her daughter Frances Bean Cobain, 24, who appeared to turn a blind eye to the fact they were smoking in a building filled with invaluable artworks

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