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New anti-smoking laws affecting regional businesses will become effective Saturday, according to the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department.
Restaurants can either become smoke-free or designate a smoking room, which requires a separate ventilation system, self-closing doors and other requirements.
No one under 18 will be allowed into the "sealed" smoking area.
Darlene Rickard, manager of Grantsville's Koffee Kup, said her restaurant will have a smoking area, meeting the health department's criteria.
"Our customers are really important to us," said Rickard. "We're going to provide them a place in our restaurant."
Rickard said the business was fortunate that the area currently used by non-smokers already had a separate heating and cooling system.
"We're installing the required doors, now," she said, hoping that everything will be ready by Saturday. "The smokers will have the smaller section of our restaurant."
Rickard has been an opponent of the new anti-smoking regulations, saying it is a violation of her rights as a business owner to declare her establishment as a smoking restaurant.
"The government is stepping over the line," she said. "Non-smokers would not have to enter our business. It should be a matter of choice."
"Pretty soon they'll be controlling french fries and fast food," she said, every aspect of human life.
The regulations prohibit smoking in enclosed public places and private offices in places of employment.
Designated smoking areas have to be at least 15 feet away from any entrance, exit or ventilation unit of any building or enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.
You can still smoke walking down the street.
Currently, there are certain exemptions for bars, smoking rooms in motels, among other special interests.
In 2008, all smoking under all the current exemptions will end.
Violations of the regulations are punishable by a fine of up to a thousand dollars.
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