On Jan. 1, 2009, Utah's new and improved Utah Clean Air Act takes effect, which prohibits indoor cigarette smoking at places of business. This is a breath of fresh air for us non-smokers who appreciate clean air in bars, clubs and live music venues. We can now enjoy the clean air that patrons in other Western states already do.

I have some trepidation about how this new statute will be enforced. Will bar management strongly support this new initiative with signage and active monitoring by employees? Or will we have to self-police and ask those who light up indoors to take the smoke outside? In other American cities where this law was enacted, the net effect was that more people came out to these places of business and business actually improved.

I hope the media highlights this issue early in 2009 so that it's in people's minds when they enter a now smoke-free private club or other building.

Jason Medeiros

Salt Lake City