Cancer sticks are out, smoke-free restaurant air is in. At least that's the trend in 23 states instituting statewide restaurant smoking bans. I live in one of those states, and also work one evening in a restaurant. I love no more smokey haze. Other than a few complaining patrons as the 2008 ban neared in Illinois, I haven't heard one complaint since.

An intriguing new study adds even more justification to restaurant smoking bans -- they keeps a whole bunch of teens from developing the habit. Researchers tracked 2,791 kids aged 12 to 17 who lived throughout Massachusetts. When the study began in 2001 no statewide restrictions existed, however approximately 100 cities/towns had varying kinds of smoking bans. After following the teens for four years, researchers determined in the towns without bans or where smoking was only allowed in a designated smoking area, nearly 10 percent became smokers. In towns with restaurant smoking bans, just under 8 percent of the teens developed the habit.

Strong bans make a big difference to teens. In this study, the chances of an experimental-smoking teen turning into a smoker was reduced by 40 percent. Also, since Massachusetts' statewide restaurant smoking ban was instituted in mid-2004, high school smoking rates have dropped from 21 percent of students in 2005 to 18 percent in 2007. May smoking bans be here to stay.