A statewide smoking ban signed into law by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels takes effect Sunday.The law prohibits smoking in many indoor businesses and public spaces, including restaurants. But bars, casinos, tobacco shops and private clubs are exempt.Danese Pease with the Harrison County Tobacco Prevention Consortium says businesses will be expected to police themselves, but state officials will make sure the law is enforced."The Alcohol and Tobacco Commission has excise officers that are stationed throughout the state of Indiana, and they will visit local businesses to make sure they are in compliance with the law as well as do spot checks at random times from this point on," she said.Violators of the smoking ban can be fined up to $10,000.Pease’s organization will hold an informational meeting on the ban for business owners Monday at 2:00pm at the Harrison County Health Department.
