Missoula at forefront of smoking ban

Publication Date: 2008-11-27

• Publication:KPAX CBS 8 (Missoula, MT)

Next year all bars and casinos in Montana have to be smoke-free, but the owners of some Missoula establishments are glad for the change.

The Montana Legislature passed the measure in their 2005 session and have set a date of October 1, 2009 for all bars and casinos to make the change.

Officials with the Missoula City County Health Department told us that Missoula is among the first cities, with the most bars, to make the change early, and many they have spoke to about the new order are very happy with it.

"Actually all of the bars and casinos that I've talked to say their business has increased they're grateful and glad they went smoke-free so its neat that its on such a large scale environment and also with personal choice" said the health department's Erica Rollins.

While the no smoking implementation will go into effect next year, Missoula City-County Health Department officials believe that many bars and casinos around the state will try their best to fight the ban because they're afraid they will lose business.