Tennessee Smoking Ban Goes Into Effect Oct. 1

Smokers across the state of Tennessee took their last puff in public places today.

Starting Monday, restaurants, workplaces, sports arenas and other enclosed areas are forced to ban smoking as part of the Non-Smokers Protection Act signed into law by Governor Phil Bredesen.

The new law is getting mixed reactions and you might be surprised to hear who's for it and who's against it.

There's one less decision to make if you chose to eat out. Restaurants are just one of the many places set to go smoke free as of October 1st.

Cole Leighton, assistant manager at Big River downtown says, "It's not really going to have a negative effect on business..you know it's statewide..if it was just Big River it probably would."

Some downtown restaurants include an exception to the new rule like outdoor patios. People can still light up at the dinner table here, as long as smoke doesn't get near a non-smoking area.

Leighton adds, "The patio can probably sit 40 to 50 extra people out there so that's increase revenue automatically for us."

Ask if Governor Bredesen's protection act is prohibiting a person's freedom and you'll hear two very different views.

Nathan Cox says, "Smokers are people too. People tend to discriminate against them because they have a habit they don't like."

Nathan Cox is a non-smoker. But believes business owners should be able to choose whether or not to allow smoking.

Johnna Morris is a smoker and owns a restaurant in Alabama, a part of the country without a statewide smoking ban.

Morris adds, "We have so many people offended by smoking that it causes a little bit of a problem if we have a smoker in house and so I would like a ban so there's no discussion with any of our customers having to ask why we can't smoke."

For more information on some key points of smoking ban, visit the Tennessee Department of Health website - http://www.state.tn.us/health