Smoking Bans

Ali Elgayar, left, and Beau Hall, both of Hoboken, smoke outside Lounge 11 Bar & Restaurant April 15, 2006, in Hoboken, New Jersey. The New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act which bans indoor smoking in public places went into effect at 12:01 a.m. April 15, 2006.

Chicago

A "no smoking" logo is seen below an international "do not enter" symbol on a door at O'Hare International Airport Jan. 18, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. The same week, Chicago launched a ban on smoking in most public places.

Washington

Smokers wait for the results on Initiative 901 during a "No on 901" gathering at The Spar Cafe & Bar on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005. Voters approved one of the most restrictive statewide bans on indoor public smoking in the country, deciding they shouldn't have to tolerate smoky bars and bowling alleys. The new law took effect on Dec. 8.

Connecticut

Regina Leonard enjoys a smoke with a beer at the Spigot Cafe, March 25, 2004, in Hartford, Conn. A new state law bans smoking in small bars and cafes beginning April 1, 2004. A ban on lighting up in restaurants went into effect Oct. 1, 2003.

Ireland

Men get in a last day of smoking over pints at the Oval Bar in Dublin, March 28, 2004. Ireland has adopted the toughest anti-smoking laws in the European Union.

New York City

Sam Edwards, right, of Pittsburgh, Pa., a long-time customer of Tom's Restaurant in New York City, smokes outside the diner, March 29, 2004. A report said that in the first 10 months after the city instituted a ban on smoking in public places, tax receipts from bars and restaurants jumped 8.7 percent.

New York State

Dorothy Socie of Niagara Falls, holds a sign supporting the state's smoking ban during a news conference at a restaurant in Getzville, N.Y., March, 25, 2004. A year after lawmakers voted to outlaw smoking in virtually every place of business in the state, supporters and foes squared off over whether it had helped or hurt. The law prohibits smoking in all indoor places of business or employment, including bars.

Fayetteville, Ark.

Iris Ferguson, 21, left, and Crissy Bobbitt, 19, right, hold up signs in support of a smoking ban in most public places as a sign against the ban sits across the street in Fayetteville, Ark., Feb. 10, 2004. The city adopted a ban on smoking in public places - including restaurants but not bars - March 11, 2004.

Toledo, Ohio

A bartender smokes a cigarette at Delaney's in Toledo, Ohio, Feb. 6, 2004. Toledo's smoking ban prohibits smoking in all bars and restaurants except in approved smoking lounges. Since it took effect Aug. 24, 2003, restaurants have largely compiled without complaint, but bar owners have unsuccessfully battled the law.

Maine

Connie Morgeau smokes while playing bingo in South Portland, Maine, June 13, 2003. Smoking where bingo is played was outlawed statewide effective Sept. 13, 2003, and a ban on puffing in bars and pool halls followed on Jan. 1, 2004.

Montgomery Co., Md.

Tanya Matulich tends bar with "no smoking" signs visible to patrons at Clyde's in Chevy Chase, Md., Dec. 16, 2003. A county-wide ban on smoking in all public restaurants and indoor public places went into effect Oct. 9, 2003.

Boston

Eva Salm of Geneva, Switzerland, enjoys a cigarette and cup of coffee after eating lunch with a friend at a cafe at Faneuil Hall in Boston, May 5, 2003. Boston's smoking ban covers bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Florida

Jim Farrell takes a swing at a cigarette machine outside a restaurant in Bonita Springs, Fla., July 1, 2003. The restaurant commemorated the official arrival of Florida's smoking ban by allowing their customers to bash the machine for a $1 donation to the American Lung Association.

Florida

Steve Pownall enjoys a cigarette at Grandma's Kitchen on Hwy 301 near Tampa, Fla., July 28, 2003. The owners of the small truck stop eatery were allowing customers to sit and smoke in their restaurant in defiance of Florida's indoor smoking ban. The ban prohibits smoking in most public places, excluding stand-alone bars.

Delaware

Jack Harvey of Baltimore has a smoke near one of the eight plastic shelters equipped with heaters and lighting outside Dover Downs Casino in Dover, Del., March 13, 2003. Delaware's indoor smoking ban went into effect on Nov. 27, 2002, and includes restaurants and bars.

Dallas

Byanaa Lafuente, left, enjoys a smoke at a holiday cigar party at d'Havana Cigars as Tom Talamantez, right, looks on in Dallas, Dec. 12, 2003. Dallas' smoking ban in restaurants, which took effect March 1, 2003, has boosted business for cigar shop owners.

Pueblo, Colo.

Nick Bowman smokes a cigarette seconds after midnight at Nunez Lounge in Pueblo, Colo., disregarding a city-wide smoking ban which had just gone into effect, Jan. 1, 2003.

Pueblo, Colo.

Pueblo attorney Joe Losavio, along with Cheyenne Ross, left, Melissa Manweiler, and Jeanette Losavio, right, carry boxes containing smoking ban petitions to be submitted to the Pueblo City Clerk's office, Jan. 8, 2003. The ban was suspended later in the month as public opposition mounted.

Helena, Mont.

Terry Curey of Helena, Mont., argues against overturning the town's broad smoking ban, in testimony before the Senate Business and Labor Committee, April 7, 2003. Heart attacks in Helena fell by more than half after the ban went into effect, although doctors said a larger study was needed. The ban was suspended after six months due to a legal challenge.

California

Rod Ridout, owner of the AA Bar & Grill in Eureka, Calif., holds the plug to the state lottery machine, Jan. 23, 1998. Ridout refuses to sell lottery tickets because of the state's smoking ban. In 1998, California became the first state to ban smoking in bars and casinos, as well as restaurants and other public places.