By Tove Tupper
January 1, 2009
           
A new smoking ban went into effect today.  Smoking is now banned in Oregon bars, taverns, bar areas inside restaurants, bowling alleys and bingo halls. Smokers have to be at least 10 feet away from a door if they want  to light up.
 
A government study found a smoking ban in Pueblo, Colorado led to a 41 percent drop in heart attack hospitalizations within three years and that secondhand smoke is a very serious public heath threat.