Right on cue with World No-tobacco Day, Nebraska's Clean Indoor Air Act goes into affect Sunday at midnight meaning butts out Nebraska.

"The scientific debate over the dangers of second hand smoke is over, we know it causes damage to non-smokers," said Nebraska Chief Medical Officer Joann Schaefer. "There are studies out now that show when you go smoke free you actually lower the instances of heart attack."

The law bans smoking in all public places and businesses except cigar bars and 20 percent of hotel rooms. Reaction to the ban is mixed.

"I personally disagree with it," said Aaron Pavelka who works at Ron's Pub at 13940 "O" St. The bar allows smoking and Pavelka is a smoker.

"I think it's a wonderful thing," said Lincoln resident Fred Lovelace.

Either way, state health officials want everyone in compliance with the ban. Dr. Schaefer will be partially responsible for enforcing it.

"The first complaint that comes in, we're going to go out, either local health officials or people from our office, and try to educate the business and try and get them in compliance with the law," said Schaefer.

Dr. Schaefer said the ban will mostly be enforced on a local level. She's directing people with complaints to first ask the business owner to fix the problem. If that doesn't work or the business is the problem, she said to call the local health department.

There is also a law enforcement element to the ban. Lincoln's smoking ban went into affect at the beginning of 2007 with the Lincoln Police Department charged with enforcing it.

"I think the most affective thing we did leading up to the ban is let people know we would indeed be enforcing it," said LPD Chief Tom Casady.

Casady said enforcing Lincoln's smoking ban has been fairly painless. LPD officers handed out seven fines in the first hour the ban went into effect, but only four after that for all of 2007. In 2008 Casady said officers handed out eight citations. However, those citations can be pricey. The first offense will cost smokers or non-complying businesses $100. Subsequent fines are be $500.

Dr. Schaefer said she hopes law enforcement is a last resort for most cities and situations.

"The whole goal is to get people in compliance with this, not to hurt businesses or cause the unnecessary burdens."

Out at Ron's Pub smoking has been a staple, however they said they'll follow the rules.

"The smoking ban's going into effect at midnight, so no more smoking after midnight. But do come out and have one more cigarette with us," said Pavelka.

Dr. Schaefer meanwhile said this is a necessary law in a society increasingly rejecting smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control nearly about 42 percent of the country smoked 40 years ago. Today less than 20 percent smoke.

Regardless, there will always be a debate between fresh air lovers and people who believe Nebraska is butting in.

"I think people have a choice as to whether they go into a smoking area or a non-smoking environment," said Pavelka.

"I don't want to breath it in because it's bad for my health," said Lovelace.

Dr. Schaefer said her and other health officials hope to soon see a decrease in respiratory disease throughout Nebraska. And she also said most states with a smoking ban see a slight reduction in the number of smokers, as people sometimes use the ban as a reason to quit.