Local bar and casino owners are begrudgingly preparing to turn their businesses smoke-free as their four-year grace period from the statewide smoke ban will expire Thursday. Some establishments are constructing outdoor smoking shelters to dull the sharpness of Montana’s changeable weather, and all bars and casinos will be hanging up fresh “no smoking” signs Thursday morning. With exception to standalone bars and casinos, all indoor publi ... Jump to full article >>

PHOENIX – A pair of studies released this week show indoor smoking bans in public buildings lead to a 17-percent decrease in heart attack rates during the first year. After three years, one study showed smoking bans reduced heart attacks by up to 36 percent. Arizona’s own voter-approved smoking ban has been in effect just over two years. Harmony Duport, acting program manager for Smoke-Free Arizona, says compliance today is excellent ... Jump to full article >>

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s workplace smoking ban is unconstitutional because it is not equally enforced throughout the state, a bar owner claims in a lawsuit against the state’s top law official. Richard Allen, owner of Zeno’s, a bar facing $28,000 in fines for violating the smoking ban, is teaming up with a conservative policy group to fight the law after being sued by Attorney General Richard Cordray. In a counter-suit filed thi ... Jump to full article >>

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Controversial bar owner Kerry “Paco” Ellison is planning his second-annual smokers’ celebration at his Charleston bar. Advertiser Ellison, owner of the Blackhawk Saloon in Charleston, said the second-annual smokers’ night activities begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the saloon. Ellison and his clientele have flouted Kanawha County’s indoor smoking ban since the regulations barring smoking at bar ... Jump to full article >>

Smokers at a Babbitt bar were not engaged in a “theatrical performance” and consequently the district court made the right call when it found the owner of the bar guilty of smoking in a public place in violation of Minnesota law, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. Smokers at a Babbitt bar were not engaged in a “theatrical performance” and consequently the district court made the right call when it found the owner of the bar guilty ... Jump to full article >>