Vic Bovalino didn’t wait until today to put ‘no smoking’ signs on the windows of his restaurant… Vic Bovalino didn’t wait until today to put ‘no smoking’ signs on the windows of his restaurant and bars in Oakland. Instead, the director of operations for Joe Mama’s, Uncle Sam’s Subs and Fuel ‘amp; Fuddle began banning smoking in late August before students even had a chance to get into the fall term. ‘We just thought that prior to everybody coming back into Oakland and getting into the semester, it would be easier to do it now, and then just have all the employees and staff and everybody on the same page rather than try to do it on the state’s recommended date,’ he said. Those who have not yet banned smoking within their businesses will be forced to do it under the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act, which goes into effect today. The law prohibits smoking in most public spaces and workplaces across the state and is meant to help prevent the health issues caused by second-hand smoke. However, the ban does come with exceptions. Bars and taverns that earn less than 20 percent of their total sales from food will not have to comply. Local establishments like Garage Door Saloon, Bootleggers and Boomerang’s, may still permit smoking if they choose, while others, like Hemingway’s Cafe, Peter’s Pub and Fuel ‘amp; Fuddle, will be forced to prohibit it.’ ‘I don’t see why a percentage of food affects how valuable someone’s lungs are or health is,’ said Peter’s Pub manager Nick Pawlenko. ‘If they’re going to do it, I think they should just do it state-wide with no exceptions.’ In fact, some politicians such as Rep. Chelsea Wagner, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, agree and are pushing for a modified act that would allow local governments to pass further regulations to create an even stricter ban. Only Philadelphia ‘mdash; grandfathered in because it had a stricter policy before the new act was passed ‘mdash; now has the right to do that. However, Pawlenko said Peter’s Pub is in the process of applying for an exemption from the ban.’ If that doesn’t go through, he said they will have to be strictly non-smoking. Primanti Brothers manager John Hoenig said that the only changes seen at his restaurant/bar will be an absence of ashtrays. He said that the smoking restriction is a good thing and that it should have little affect on business. ‘I don’t think people come here to smoke,’ said Hoenig. ‘People come here to eat [and] have a drink. Food and smoke don’t necessarily mix. We’re primarily a restaurant-slash-bar, not the other way around.’ Hemingway’s owner John Elavsky said he doesn’t know how the ban will affect his business. He said he feels it’s unfair and should apply to all establishments, regardless of food sales. ‘I don’t think any municipality or state or federal government should dictate that to you,’ said Elavsky. ‘If they want to make it non-smoking, then it should be everyone, every single business in this city. It has to be all or none.’ But for those venues that have switched to non-smoking, they seem to be happy with the ban and have observed little change in business. According to assistant manager Kristi Spinneweber, Mad Mex’s change to non-smoking back in March came from a decision by the big Burrito Restaurant Group, the chain that owns the chain restaurant. Spinneweber said the smoke-free atmosphere has had very positive reactions from clientele. ‘Most people have been so thrilled to not smell like cigarettes all the time,’ said Spinneweber. ‘Everything’s a little cleaner and smells a little better.’ For students, the ban means a decision between places that allow smoking and those that don’t. And for smokers, that decision might become more prevalent as the winter weather approaches. Mike Hribik, a junior at Pitt, said that while he doesn’t like being surrounded by smoke when out at restaurants and bars, those who do shouldn’t have to take it outside every time they want a cigarette. ‘It’s a very big hassle,’ he said. ‘I think people should be able to smoke if they want in a bar. It’s a specific kind of setting. It’s the whole environment.’ Yet others greet the ban with open arms. Leeann Williams-Golish, who graduated from Pitt in 2006, said that she can’t stand coming home after a night out smelling like cigarettes. ‘I personally think it’s gross because I don’t smoke,’ she said. ‘I want to come home, and I want to put the shirt that I just wore for two hours back in my closet but I can’t because it smells like smoke.’ Yet like many of the local businesses, Williams-Golish said the ban should not have any exception, but be put into effect within every establishment. ‘I wish they did the whole non-smoking thing in every bar in Pittsburgh,’ she said, ‘instead of this half and half kind of business.’