Smoking ban bewilderment

Even though Carson City smokers were banished to the back porch Friday on the first day of the state's new smoking ban, the voter-approved law is still leaving many feeling a little hazy.

Some restaurant owners dutifully removed their ash trays and put up no-smoking signs. Other business owners were not prepared and unsure about who to call. Carson City officials have faced the mandate, but they admit that enforcing the smoking ban is going to be difficult.

"We will do this on a complaint basis only," said Christi Smith, deputy director of the Carson City Health and Human Services. "It's not like we're going to be regulating it solely. It will also be enforced while an inspector is at an establishment as part of their inspection."

Sheriff Kenny Furlong said the only calls he's received are from people confused about the ban. One restaurant owner said enough information hasn't been given out.

"I don't know who is enforcing this," said Vicki Shell, general manager of Glen Eagle's restaurant in North Carson City. "I don't know who to call for questions, and I'm sure I'm not alone,"

"I have posted my no-smoking signs, our heaters are lit on the patio (for smokers), and that's as much as I know what I'm supposed to do."

Carol Meixner, owner of RoseAnn's Grill inside Decades Bar, said she had not yet made any changes.

"We will have to put up a wall between us and the bar, and we have a back entrance that we will use," she said Friday afternoon. "We'll do it when they say we absolutely have to do it."

The Clean Indoor Air Act, approved by an eight-point margin, bans smoking in restaurants, bars that serve meals, slot machine sections of grocery and convenience stores, at video arcades, shopping malls, schools and day-care centers. It still allows smoking in the gambling areas of casinos, but not their restaurants.

"We've got up good signage," said Steve Forester, general manager for Casino Fandango, which operates three restaurants inside the South Carson City casino. "You pretty much know as soon as you go in. We haven't had a single situation so far."

Starting in the new year, inspectors will post the no-smoking signs on businesses that must comply under the new law if they don't already have them, Smith said. Penalties have not yet been determined. She said her office will take all complaint calls at 887-2190. As of Friday, they'd had none.

Tom McLellan, a Carson City real estate agent, will be smoking out in the cold.

"My concern, whether or not I'm a smoker, is we keep getting our personal rights eliminated," he said. "Politicians and organization are trying to legislate health conditions."

What critics are calling the "Californization" of Nevada, is a breath of fresh air to many non-smokers.

A group of friends at Glen Eagle's on Friday afternoon approve of the ban because it will make eating out healthier.

"I've had asthma since I was 3, and it really affects my asthma," said Sandra Lepire, of Carson City.

"Now I might be able to get my husband to go to Bully's," said Judy Phillips, of Carson City. "It has great food and reasonable prices, but I can never get him to go because of all the smoke."

Smoking ban

Where?

Smoking is banned within indoor places of employment, including: all bars with a food-handling license, all indoor restaurants, child-care facilities, movie theaters, video arcades, government buildings, public places, malls, stores, all parts of grocery stores, school buildings and school property. These business owners must post "No Smoking" signs.

What is exempt?

Casino floors, motels/hotels, taverns, saloons and bars that do not serve food, retail tobacco stores, strip clubs and brothels.

Who will enforce the ban? What will be the penalties?

Carson City health inspectors in conjunction with the sheriff's office will respond to complaints, said Christi Smith, deputy director of Carson City Health and Human Services. Call 887-2190. Business owners are responsible for asking patrons to comply. Any problems can be addressed to the health department or sheriff's office.

Inspectors will offer no-smoking signs to those businesses that don't already have them.

Penalties have not yet been decided.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.