New year has brought an end to smoking in Utah bars. Thousands of people had the last enjoyment of smoking in a bar.

The aim of the drive is to protect employees and customers from passive smokers. Smoking is a leading cause of cancer and hence needs to be banned at public places.

Though smoking had been banned in 2006, but it was applicable to the newly opened clubs and taverns only.

The law would penalize anyone caught smoking in a bar. The defaulters could face a $100 fine for the first offense and up to a $500 fine for a second offense. The bars would also face penalization with a fine up to $5,000 for allowing smoking.

It is not that cops would be on a prowl to hunt for the defaulters. The state government has faith in the citizens and hopes that they would abide by the laws.

But the bar owners have received the ban with a pinch of salt, saying that it would have an affect on their business and that they would fight it out.