Going Smoke Free | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 11/21/2012

In two weeks a statewide smoking ban goes into effect that makes it illegal to light up in a public place, something many people have done for decades. So the Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy is getting the word out. The law takes effect December 6. Next week public venues like bars and hotels will be receiving information that tells them what they need to do to go smoke-free.

Becoming a smoke-free establishment is about as simple as it sounds

"They hang up signs at the entrance and inside and on the doors and remove the ash trays and also make sure there are no ash trays within 20 feet of the door," said Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy Executive Director Jeanne Prom.

Of course, supporters of the law hope the ban gets people to quit smoking, but they say that`s not the main intent behind it.

"Smoke-free laws do affect people who are already using tobacco. They tend to cut back and some of them quit which is great but the real impact long term of this smoke-free law is that our young people are gonna grow up in a smoke-free environment and they`re gonna find that very normal," Prom said.

Prom says the law is about protecting people from second-hand smoke and the health problems that come with it.

"Seven years ago we were asked smoking or non when you entered a restaurant. We haven`t been asked that for seven years and it seems absurd that anybody would be asked," Prom said.

A lot of people are curious how this law affects reservations since they are sovereign nations. The short answer is, it`s complicated. State`s Attorneys will be responsible for determining which buildings, if any, on the reservation may have to go smoke-free, depending on the circumstances.

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