With the full smoking ban now in effect, businesses that violate the new law are subject to punishment.

Lewis and Clark County health officials believe the enforcement of the ban is largely dependent upon Montana citizens. Montanans are being encouraged to report any violations online or by phone.

Businesses that violate the new law will at first receive warning notices and later fines as high as $500 for repeat offenses. Officials remain confident that the majority of Montanans strongly support the smoke free law and will do their part to protect it.

Darby Bramble, Tobacco Use Prevention Specialist for the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department, explains, “The thing that’s exciting about the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act, is it’s a citizen-enforced, it’s a complaint process, so if local Helenans, Lewis and Clark County residents, Broadwater County residents, see someone smoking in a bar, if they see a bar owner, or a casino owner, or a restaurant owner allowing smoking in their business, they would report this violation. We rely very heavily on education, and most bar and casino owners have received several ways of education, so that they know the process of enforcement.”

Bonnie Miller, owner/manager of Miller’s Crossing in Helena, says, “I think certainly everybody’s going to be behind it and support it as far as enforcing it.”

To report a violation, head to tobaccofree.mt.gov or call 1-866-787-5247.