Q&A on the smoking ban

Q: I've been living in a smoky haze. Tell me again about this smoking ban.

A: By a 2-to-1 ratio, voters last month passed Initiative 901, amending the state's Clean Indoor Air Act to require that all public places and workplaces in Washington be smoke-free. The new law extends the smoking ban to bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, skating rinks, nontribal casinos, private clubs, reception areas and at least 75 percent of hotel rooms.

Q: But I'll still have my smoking sections and patios in restaurants and bars, right?

A: Nope. Those are considered workplaces and public places. What's more, the few cigar rooms and hookah bars in the state must follow the law, too.

Q: Holy smokes! When does this ban go into effect?

A: 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Yes, that means if you are sitting in a bar late tonight, you can light up at midnight, but you'll only have a minute to smoke it.

Q: Thank goodness I can at least still step outside to smoke.

A: Well, actually, you can't — at least not within 25 feet of a doorway. Smoking is banned there, too. The "25-foot rule" makes Washington's law the most restrictive in the country.

Q: They can't enforce the 25-foot rule! Or can they?

A: It will be difficult. Nobody expects law-enforcement officers to carry tape measures on their belts. Officials are trying to allay a public panic over this rule, emphasizing that people walking past a doorway on a public sidewalk or street while smoking will not be breaking the law.

A: For individuals and business owners, the penalty is $100. But expect a lot of warnings at first, with fines likely reserved for smart-alecky smokers who purposely light up to make a point.

Q: If I smoke inside, am I going to get the proprietor in trouble?

A: Potentially. A local health department can fine an owner who breaks the law by allowing smoking. Officials say they will investigate complaints to determine whether a business owner is attempting to comply or is intentionally flouting the law.

Q: Sounds like this law creates an army of anti-smoking snitches.

A: Officials prefer to say that smoking bans elsewhere have been "self-policing," meaning nonsmokers gently (or maybe not so gently) remind smokers that lighting up is illegal. Of course, some people won't confront smokers and instead will formally complain about establishments where people smoke.

Q: Hey, I want to complain, too!

A: Of course you do. In King County, call 206-296-7613 or check out www.metrokc.gov/health. In Snohomish County: 425-339-5237 or www.snohd.org. The phone numbers and Web sites also are set up to answer any outstanding questions about the ban.

Q: Sounds like they thought of everything. But wait! What if a musician lights up on stage in the middle of a live performance? Or what if a play calls for an actor to smoke? Then what? Are we supposed to hose them down?

A: Don't be silly. Common sense holds that a responsible club manager would inform performers beforehand that the venue is nonsmoking. That said, no one expects a bouncer to storm the stage and rip a cigarette from the mouth of the lead guitarist. As for live theater, Paramount Theater managers, for example, have told King County officials that they plan to disallow smoking on stage for the sake of art. Apparently, there are props that can stand in for ciggies.

Q: This ban is going to be lousy for my matchbook collection.

A: Lighten up. Matchbooks are good advertising and won't be going away. Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas, for one, says he plans to continue giving out artsy matchbooks at his four establishments. Three of those, by the way, already were smoke-free. So there.

— Stuart Eskenazi