Complaints and questions surround smoking ban

Phones are still ringing off the hook at the Knox County Health Department as restaurants and customers try to clear the air regarding the "Non Smokers Protection Act".

Scott Bryan with the Knox County Health Department toured El Charro Restaurant on Monday. He said 'no smoking' signs with a picture of a cigarette crossed out are the first things people see when they come to the eatery, which is in compliance with the new law.

Another concern for health inspectors is smoking on the outside of the restaurant.

"We're not saying you can't have a smoking area outside," Bryan said, "but we don't want to see smoking right outside the building where it could come in the front doors as people are coming in."

Inside, some El Charro customers were happy to sit where they want.

"It's just really nice not to go into a restaurant and sit down and not smell cigarettes," Cherie Van Auken said. "We went into one place not too long ago, and I about gagged."

Not everyone is accepting the smoking ban.

"We've received complaints on people smoking in restaurants that aren't supposed to be, and we're investigating those on a case-by-case basis," Bryan said.

Bryan was an health inspector in Florida when that state's ban went into effect in 2003. Now he's helping East Tennessee businesses focus on the long-term pay off.

"There was a positive increase in business for restaurants, a positive increase on public health," he said.

Based on his experience in Florida, Bryan expects it will take a couple of months for businesses and customers to adjust.

Restaurants are quickly getting up to speed, but some workplaces and retailers are still not putting up their 'no smoking' signs. The Department of Labor would handle that issue.