A statewide smoking ban on public property and in many private establishments has prompted some places unaffected by the ban to reevaluate their smoking policies.

Others still consider the ban a bum deal.

The Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect June 13.

However, enforcement did not start until about two weeks ago, after a 90-day phase-in period ended.

During this time, the state Department of Health educated the public and businesses about the requirements of the new law and assisted businesses to implement no smoking rules.

For businesses that collect more than 30 percent of their revenue through food sales, the ban is mandatory.

"We have always been a smoking facility, and we have pretty much always been under 20 percent (of profit derived from food sales)," said Woody Druschel, owner of Wind Haven Restaurant and Lounge in Cranberry Township.

"We have gotten a few new faces in since the ban came into effect."

Druschel said he submitted his application for exemption before Sept. 10; establishments which submitted their applications after Sept. 10 must enforce the smoking ban until the state health department makes a decision in their case, which Druschel said is not necessarily a bad thing.

"If we were doing enough food sales, I would be glad to go non-smoking," he said.

In addition to the odor, Druschel said smoke wreaks havoc on wall coverings, curtains and paint in the lounge, which seats about 70 people.

Natili Restaurant and Lounge (south) on Main Street in Butler has implemented the ban and seen both positive and negative effects, according to manager Julia Tracy.

"So far, everything seems to be going well with the ban. The bar is a bit slower, but we've also had customers say it's a better atmosphere inside," Tracy said.

She added the elimination of smoking and non-smoking sections has made it simpler to seat customers, as well.

"The biggest complaint we've had from people is that the city is doing nothing to clear butts from the streets," Tracy said.

Anderson's Common Court restaurant and Brick House, both on Main Street, have implemented the smoking ban, too, filling the street's benches with smokers and its ash tray-topped trash cans with butts.

Tracy said Natili's bought several ash trays to place outside for customers since, right now, busboys must go outside and sweep butts from the sidewalks several times a day.

Because of the new state law, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education ruled there is no smoking on any of the 14 state system university campuses since they are public property.

In response, the Executive Council of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, which represents faculty members at the 14 universities, including about 420 professors at Slippery Rock University, filed an unfair practice charge with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.

But a poll in the student newspaper, The Rocket, showed 73 percent of students agree with the ban.

Butler County Community College is not directly affected by the ban, although one-third of its operating budget comes from the state, according to Susan Changnon, BC3's director of communications and marketing.

"BC3 is examining its tobacco use policy. We have been considering changing it," Changnon said.

BC3 has designated smoking areas throughout its campus, but Changnon said at the school's president's cabinet meeting Tuesday school officials will discuss going smoke free.

Sherry Chestnut, program coordinator for Tobacco-Free Butler County. also serves as a coordinator for Community Health Challenge of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which offers assistance to businesses wanting to implement no smoking policies, as well as support for individuals who wish to kick the tobacco habit.

"Every one knows (the ban) exists at this point, but not everyone is aware of what the full impact will be," Chestnut said.

She said she expects more establishments to take the initiative to ban tobacco as smoking bans elsewhere become commonplace.

Community Health Challenge provides those employers with sample policies and other information.

As for individuals trying to kick the habit, CHCprovides education not only on tobacco, but on stress management, nutrition and weight management — all of which are involved in the quitting process, Chestnut said.

"It's similar to a support group, but not structured in that way," she said.