On this day, January 21, in 1908

The Sullivan Ordinance was passed in New York City, making it illegal for women to smoke cigarettes in any public place. This law, which could have possibly been the first no-smoking legislation enacted in the US, was unanimously approved by the city's Board of Aldermen, which is similar to a city council. During the early 20th Century when this legislation was passed, smoking among women was not too common anyways, but the percentage of female smokers has been steadily increasing since. This is understandable seeing as how tobacco companies aggressively target women in their advertising campaigns. Unfortunately, I'm sure this New York law was not solely motivated by the health and wellbeing of women.