New smoking restrictions take effect Monday that ban smoking in some bars and private clubs and extend smoking prohibitions to places that had been exempt from the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act.

Eventually, changes to the act passed by the Utah Legislature earlier this year will ban smoking in all taverns and private clubs.

The first to experience the ban are taverns and Class D private clubs licensed after May 15. Class D private clubs are those that derive less than half of their revenue from food sales.

Joining the no-smoking bandwagon next week will be:

unlicensed day care providers (licensed day cares are already smoke-free)

private schools, including the grounds

buildings used by social, fraternal or religious organizations for social or religious events

workplaces with no public access (those with public access were already under the ban)

facilities leased for private functions such as weddings.

The Utah Department of Public Health will mount a public information campaign for the rest of the year to inform affected parties and the public about the changes in the law. On Thursday, some clubs will go smoke-free for a day to demonstrate what the smoking ban will be like when it finally takes effect statewide.

"Controlling the public's exposure to the pollutants of secondhand smoke has become an international health concern," said Heather Borski, who manages the tobacco prevention and control program for the state health department.

"Every year more than 50,000 Americans die from secondhand smoke-related diseases, including heart disease and lung cancer. Adopting smoke-free policies is an effective way to eliminate unhealthy and dangerous environments."

In 2007, the smoking ban will be in place for country clubs, lodges and patriotic clubs, and fine dining establishments with liquor licenses. In 2009, all other taverns and Class D private clubs will go smoke-free.

Twelve other states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, have legislation barring indoor smoking.

More information about the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act is available at www.tobaccofreeutah.org.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.