Jump to full article: Western News, 2009-10-01
Author: Canda Harbaugh, The Western News
Intro: News 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 public places in Montana went smoke-free October 2005.
"The need to breathe smoke-free air has priority over the desire to smoke," the measure reads.
Libby bar and casino owners are complaining less about the smoke ban negatively affecting business and more about the government's heavy hand getting into individual rights.
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