BOSTON Officials here were all smiles after the first day of a restaurant smoking ban ended with no reported violations or disruptions at the city's more than 2,000 eateries. Under the new law which went into effect Wednesday following strong opposition from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, smoking is banned in all establishments that serve food only. Smoking is permitted in bars or bar sections of restaurants, but only if the area is separated from diners by a six-foot buffer zone.

The new no-smoking regulations have been generally well received, said Boston Public Health Commissioner John M. Auerbach. Most smokers are understanding. But restaurateurs are not so convinced. Peter Christie, executive vice president of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said restaurant owners will suffer financial losses as a result of the ban. No longer will patrons to linger over a meal and desert, he said, adding that many will be forced to rush outside to have a smoke.

The association has a lawsuit pending against the city seeking revocation of the ban which argues that many of its members will go out of business, particularly those that do not have enough space for the six-foot barrier. The association argues that those smaller restaurants will be penalized because of floor space. At the popular Bull and Finch Pub, the site the celebrated TV series Cheers was based on, patrons who prefer smoking are seated at tables in the bar area, while non-smokers are directed to dining rooms upstairs.

One visitor from California who was puffing at a cigarette at the bar was elated that smoking was permitted at all as in her home state, smoking is banned in both restaurant and bar sections. This is great, she said. (AFP)