Starting Thursday, No Smoking at the Palisades

The moratorium , but Thursday it becomes a reality: no more smoking on property.

For shoppers, it means not lighting up on theway to or from the parking lot. For employees, it means no smoke breaks at store exits or loading docks—if a retail worker wants a nicotine fix, they'll now have to smoke in their car, officials said.

The new policy was put in place by the Pyramid Management Group, LLC, which owns the Palisades Center, along with several other malls throughout New York and Massachusetts.

"We strongly believe this new policy will not only support our employees and guests who are sensitive to secondhand smoke or are trying to quit smoking, but it also will provide a more enjoyable and healthier shopping experience to the millions of visitors who come through our doors each year," said James L. Soos, director of asset management with the Pyramid Management Group.

At first, no tickets or fines will be dished out—only warnings. No new stores in the mall will be able to sell tobacco products, but the two existing ones , officials said.

Pyramid officials said no-smoking signs will be posted around the property, and mall employees will have opportunities to receive counseling to quit smoking.

Still, mall workers are not pleased. Patch spoke with several—none of whom wished to share their name, for fear of it affecting their employment—.

The decision also resonated with Patch readers. , about half of voters said the new rule is too restrictive. The other 50-percent of voters hailed the change as "a great thing for the community."