SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Cigarette smokers don’t have much time left. At midnight Wednesday, they’ll be asked to put out the cigarette or go outside and smoke.
Utah’s Indoor Clean Air Act takes affect on Thursday. It bans smoking in public places, including private clubs.
And some are smoking mad with Utah's new law.
"Not fair,” said Bob Steele who was sitting at his local VFW tavern in Holladay. “As a veteran I damn well earned the right to smoke where I want."
Not according to the new act.
But those who work in those smoke filled rooms said they welcomed the change.
"I love it,” said waitress Mary Gibbons who works at Lumpy's. “We're so excited about it. Everybody who works here is so excited, especially those who work full time. We smoke, it's like we smoke a pack of cigarettes everyday."
And the owner of Lumpy's is already making plans to refurbish the place in order to get rid of that lingering smoke smell.
"We're going to be doing changes starting next week,” said owner Chris Simonsen. “We'll start painting the building, adding carpet or hardware floors. The smell will be something to take a long time to get out."
But they're really fuming at the Cheers To You tavern.
The owner will follow the law but under protest.
"I should have the right to dictate what happens inside my private club with a perfectly legal product,” said Bob Brown.
The owner filed an appeal in court. Brown claims lawmakers didn't clearly define tobacco products. He claims cigarettes are exempt.
So he'll ask customers to put out the cigarette but that's it.
"I have no desire to prosecute for trespassing,” said Brown. “So if I ask someone to stop smoking, they're on their own."
A spokesman for Utah’s Department of Health said the law is very clear and cigarettes are included in the indoor act.
