BLONDIE - DEBORAH HARRY PRAISES NEW YORK'S SMOKING BAN

BLONDIE frontwoman DEBORAH HARRY is thoroughly enjoying New York's new ban on smoking in restaurants and bars.

The HEART OF GLASS singer and downtown Manhattan resident finds nights out on the town to be a more pleasant experience since mayor MICHAEL BLOOMBERG imposed the law on 31 March (03).

She says, "Now that the weather's good here, it's not so bad. People can go outside and have a cigarette.

"It does make the inside places much more comfortable, and maybe it'll help a lot of people to quit smoking."

One person it's helping stay off cigarettes is reformed smoker EWAN McGREGOR, who was recently in town to promote his new movie DOWN WITH LOVE.

He admits, "I've given up smoking, so it's quite good for me, quite handy."