New law banning smoking in public places goes into effect Monday

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Laws that ban smoking in public places take effect Monday, mirroring policies already in place in many government buildings. <br><br>But for establishments like bowling alleys and

Friday, August 29th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Laws that ban smoking in public places take effect Monday, mirroring policies already in place in many government buildings.

But for establishments like bowling alleys and convenience stores, the new rules could pose a problem.

At Lou Lee's Crossroads Store in Kingston, the breakfast counter is filled with customers, most of them construction workers who smoke.

She says telling patrons at her rural gas station and convenience store they can no longer smoke would devastate business.

The new regulations signed into law by Governor Henry require all workplaces and government-owned buildings to be smoke free or have an enclosed, separately ventilated room for smoking.

Restaurants have until March first, 2006, to comply with the same rules. Stand-alone bars, bingo halls and tobacco stores are exempt.