On Oct. 1, the Non-Smoker Protection Act will go into effect across Tennessee, banning smoking in most public places, such as in restaurants, hotels and shopping malls.
Other places that will be affected by the ban include public and private educational institutes, health care facilities, sports arenas, restrooms, lobbies, hallways and child care facilities.
There are a few places that will be exempt from the new law, including private homes and vehicles, places that only allow people above the age of 21, public places that are not enclosed, private clubs and smoking rooms inside of hotels.
In addition, buildings that have garage-type doors or removable sides or vents will be exempt from the ban.
Due to the fact that smoking is not allowed in public places where there are adults and children under the age of 21, restaurants and bars all over the state are being forced to decide to serve people over 21 and always ask for identification, or to become smoke-free to continue serving children and young adults.
"All we can do is inform customers about the ban, but we will be non-smoking," said Steven Smith, manager at Chili's in Murfreesboro.
Several restaurants have gotten a jump-start on the smoking ban.
Both Buffalo Wild Wings and Red Robin in Murfreesboro have been smoke-free for months.
"I think it's a good thing, not smoking in restaurants, " said Kendra Adcock, a freshman business major.
Restaurants must post signs that tell customers that no smoking is allowed in the building. It is also required that current and potential employees be notified of the ban.
Governor Phil Bredesen signed the act into law on June 11 of this year.
According to Lydia Lenker, the press secretary for the governor's Communications Office, "This is the biggest step in smoke-free legislation that any tobacco state has ever taken to improve the health and lives of thousands of citizens."
"I'm urging businesses to go smoke-free rather than pursue one of the exceptions," wrote Bill Paul, the public health director for Nashville Metro, in an opinion piece for The Tennessean on Sept. 18.
"It will save lives. And judging from what has happened in other places and the shrinking number of smokers, it probably won't hurt business," he said.
The new law will be put into effect to protect people who are non-smokers, he stated, adding that it also protects employees from being exposed to secondhand smoke.
According to Paul, "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified secondhand smoke as a Class A carcinogen because it contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemicals."
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