CEDAR RAPIDS - One year ago today, smoking ended in bars and restaurants across the state. The Smokefree Air Act angered businesses and smokers who had to comply with the law.

Today, businesses are still complying with the law whether they like it or not. The Iowa Department of Public Health says it sent out violation notices to only 1% of more than 82,000 businesses across the state.

One year in, and area restaurants say the smoking ban hasn't done as much damage as they feared. "Business is good as usual, it maybe if not better at times because people feel more comfortable to bring their children in here," says Martha Smith, General Manager of Leonardo's Pizza.

Despite complaints from some business owners, a majority of places like Leonardo's Pizza made the change to comply with the law. In fact, fewer than 50 businesses received citations in Linn County. "And we're doing better than the 1% compliance rate than the state so we're a little lower than 1% that of those businesses who have not been in compliance," says Stephanie Neff, Executive Director of the Healthy Linn Care Network.

The Iowa Department of Public Health says 14% of Iowans smoke today. That's down from 19% two years ago. It's too soon to see if the law is impacting cases of lung cancer or respiratory illness, but Neff says it's only a matter of time "Hopefully we'll see those numbers decline as a result of this policy in the next three to five years, but may be longer," says Neff.

Smith would like to offer an option for her smoking customers, but is waiting to see if the law will change before she makes the investment.
"So once the dust settles in the next year or two, we'd like to put some sort of an area where the smokers can sit and have their cocktails as well," she says.