The smoking ban, which went into effect today, is causing grief for many of Oskaloosa’s smokers.

As part of the ban, at every entrance to public places, bars and places of employment, “no smoking” signs or the international “no smoking” symbols have to be placed. These signs also have to be placed on vehicles used for employment and be visible from outside a vehicle. All of the signs must contain the telephone number for reporting complaints, 1-888-944-2247, and the Web site www.IowaSmokefreeAir.gov.

The penalty for an individual violating the act is a $50 fine. The penalty for a business for the first offense is a $100 fine, for the second offense, a $200 fine, and for subsequent offenses, a $500 fine. Tobacco and alcohol permits and licenses can also be pulled from noncompliant businesses, according to the act. The penalty for firing an employee who makes a complaint can result in a $10,000 fine.

The Department of Public Health is in charge of enforcing the ban. People wishing to file complaints can do so with the department or the department’s designee.

The funds from fines is deposited into the state’s general fund, unless a local authority is involved in the enforcement. In that case, the civil penalties will be deposited into the general fund of the city or county.

Patrons at The Rock Island Depot on Monday were not in favor of the impending ban.

Pat, a non-smoker, said a person should expect smoke when walking into a bar.

“There are way too many laws,” Pat said. “I know what I’m getting into when I walk into a place that has smoke.”

Longtime smokers Dean and Corine were also against the ban. Corine said she thinks the ban will cut into the bars’ profits. She sees the ban as an infringement on her rights. She expects that the majority of people will comply and some may decide it is time to quit smoking because of the ban. She and Dean, who have been smoking for more than 30 years, plan to continue smoking.

Oscar Caraway, a smoker and VFW member, said the smoking ban is an example of another right that has been taken away, like the right to not wear seat belts.

“They let us down on this one,” Caraway said. “Prisoners have more rights than we do.”

Prisons and casinos are allowed to have smoking in some areas.

“If they let the casinos still smoke, it has nothing to do with public health,” Caraway said.

VFW and American Legion posts are included in the ban.

American Legion Post Canteen Manager Jennifer Hanigan said approximately 75 percent of the people that come into the bar are smokers. She said the non-smokers that she has spoken to are also in favor of allowing smoking.