Cityfile: New York's Most Notable and Influential

No More Chewing Tobacco For You | The mayor and city council have devised an ingenious (albeit inadvertent) way to reduce the number of hillbilly tourists flowing into the city. The city council approved a ban on flavored tobacco products yesterday, making NYC the first major city to do so. [WNYC, VV]

Were you aware that an eleventh-grader is running for New York City Council? It's not a joke nor is it part of an elaborate reality TV prank (although the eleventh-grader in question did catch an early break when he appeared on Ice-T's Rap School back when he was an eighth-grader.) Dodge Landesman really is hoping to win, and he's already lined up support from restaurateur Danny Meyer and actress Julianne Moore, according to The New Yorker's Ben McGrath. (This is probably a good moment to mention that his dad is mega-producer Rocco Landesman, one of the most powerful men on Broadway, and, as of last week, President Obama's choice to lead the NEA.) Dodge will only be on the ballot for voters who live in the second district, which encompasses Kips Bay, Gramercy, and part of the Lower East Side. (Until he moves on to higher office, at least.) But even if you can't vote for him, you should still head over to The New Yorker website to see this video of him in action. Words alone cannot begin to explain. [New Yorker]

Michael Bloomberg has prevailed in his quest to run for the third term. By a vote of 29 to 22, the New York City Council voted to extend term limits a little while ago, overturning two voter referendums that had imposed a limit of two four-year terms. The vote wasn't without some excitement: After Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum announced the tally at 4:35 p.m., the balcony "erupted in shouts of 'The city's for sale!' and 'Shame on you!'" [NYT, NYDN, NYP]

No Free Air-Con For You | You know all those stores that leave their doors open and release big gusts of cold air into the sweltering streets of Manhattan? Consider them a thing of the past. "The City Council is expected to pass legislation on Thursday that would impose fines on stores that leave their doors wide open with the air-conditioning on." [NYT]