One year ago Friday smoking was banned in most indoor spaces in Pennsylvania.
In the Poconos Thursday some celebrated the smoke-free anniversary while others weren't feeling as festive.
The Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect on September 11, 2008.
One year later some people said the smoking ban helped them kick the habit.
"I thought I had lung cancer or throat cancer. I went to the doctor and he said, 'No you are clear.' When I walked out of the doctors office I lit a cigarette and I thought, how stupid can you be?" said Ray Butler of Pocono Summit. That's when he decided to quit smoking.
A smoker for more 35 years, Butler credits Pennsylvania's indoor smoking ban for helping him kick the habit.
"It has really changed my life because I don't have to worry about where I go. I influenced a lot of my friends because they don't want to smoke now," Butler added.
Tobacco Free Northeast PA estimates more than 95 percent of businesses, restaurants and bars are now smoke free in the state.
"I see the majority of people now can go into a restaurant or another area and not have to worry about exposing themselves to second-hand smoke," said Jeanne Fingar, a coordinator for Tobacco Free Northeast PA.
The owner of Crystal Street Diner in East Stroudsburg said the smoking ban hasn't really hurt business. He said most folks just go outside to smoke.
The ban is helping him quit smoking too.
"I think I have cut back on my smoking a lot because I can't smoke here now so I have to walk outside. Being here working on the business all of the time it works better for me and my health," said owner Mohamed Abouelmagd.
There are exceptions to the smoking ban. Some bars and casinos are allowed to have smoking however some smokers think it's just too restrictive.
"There should be a sign that says smoking bar. If you don't smoke you don't have to come in," said Lorraine Treible of East Stroudsburg.
Tobacco Free Northeast PA also announced Thursday a new campaign to combat cigarettes. It's called Young Lungs at Play. It's an effort to ban smoking at local parks and recreational areas.
In the Poconos Thursday some celebrated the smoke-free anniversary while others weren't feeling as festive.
The Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect on September 11, 2008.
One year later some people said the smoking ban helped them kick the habit.
"I thought I had lung cancer or throat cancer. I went to the doctor and he said, 'No you are clear.' When I walked out of the doctors office I lit a cigarette and I thought, how stupid can you be?" said Ray Butler of Pocono Summit. That's when he decided to quit smoking.
A smoker for more 35 years, Butler credits Pennsylvania's indoor smoking ban for helping him kick the habit.
"It has really changed my life because I don't have to worry about where I go. I influenced a lot of my friends because they don't want to smoke now," Butler added.
Tobacco Free Northeast PA estimates more than 95 percent of businesses, restaurants and bars are now smoke free in the state.
"I see the majority of people now can go into a restaurant or another area and not have to worry about exposing themselves to second-hand smoke," said Jeanne Fingar, a coordinator for Tobacco Free Northeast PA.
The owner of Crystal Street Diner in East Stroudsburg said the smoking ban hasn't really hurt business. He said most folks just go outside to smoke.
The ban is helping him quit smoking too.
"I think I have cut back on my smoking a lot because I can't smoke here now so I have to walk outside. Being here working on the business all of the time it works better for me and my health," said owner Mohamed Abouelmagd.
There are exceptions to the smoking ban. Some bars and casinos are allowed to have smoking however some smokers think it's just too restrictive.
"There should be a sign that says smoking bar. If you don't smoke you don't have to come in," said Lorraine Treible of East Stroudsburg.
Tobacco Free Northeast PA also announced Thursday a new campaign to combat cigarettes. It's called Young Lungs at Play. It's an effort to ban smoking at local parks and recreational areas.
