Early enforcement of Maine’s smoking ban in bars has gone much more smoothly than when the restaurant smoking ban went into effect in 1999, according to state health director Dr. Dora Mills.

“That involved a lot more establishments, at least 6,000,” she said. “This change involves a few hundred.”

The state has received a few complaints about smoking, Mills said, and has sent reminder letters to those bars but has not yet issued any fines. Those letters will be followed up with visits from restaurant inspectors, she said.

Mills said the state will launch a campaign later this year to let tourists know that Maine bars and restaurants are smoke-free. Ads will be posted at airports and train stations and perhaps along the Turnpike.

“We want to let people know about the ban so when they come into the state, businesses aren’t having to confront them,” Mills said. “And for people who don’t smoke, it’s a great tourist advertisement for Maine.”

AP-ES-01-19-04 1313EST