New smoking ban in Iowa Bars and Restaurants

SOURCE : kaaltv.com

Smokers are going to call it quits at bars and restaurants in Iowa today. The new statewide smoking ban took effect at the stroke of midnight.

George Pierson, who owns Kozy Korner Bar in Mason City has already talked to his staff about the changes.

The bar has allowed smoking indoors for more than 40 years, but as of Tuesday, they go smoke free.

"We have to; by the law, we have to,” he says.

The stakes are high under the new statewide smoking ban.

Bars and restaurants that don't comply could be fined up to $300 or could lose their business or liquor licenses.

And if they're not ready soon, it's up to patrons to report it.

"There will be those people that feel that they want to be the tobacco police and to those people I say, you know what, let's get it rolling and lets be good to each other,” says Tammy Bryant, Cerro Gordo County Tobacco Coordinator.

Because the law is a big change for businesses, the state may be somewhat forgiving at first.

But businesses that rack up warnings and violations will have to prepare for the consequences of not being prepared.

Just like in Minnesota, there's a loophole in Iowa’s ban.

It allows people to light up in outdoor seating areas at bars but not at restaurants.

Lawmakers say they'll most likely discuss the difference between a bar and a restaurant and close the loophole when they meet next year.