The owner of Bali Satay wants to go smoke-free before a statewide smoking ban is imposed.

Iwan Muljadi, owner of Bali Satay House, 2424 Lincoln Way, said he still needs a little time to come to a decision, but ultimately, he would like his establishment to be relinquished of smoke.

“I would like it to. I don’t know what to do, I’m a little confused right now [about it],” Muljadi said. “I need another month.”

Celia Law, alumna and treasurer of Students for Smoke-Free Bars, said it has been a goal of the organization to have bars in Ames go smoke-free on a constant basis, but an agreement to do so has been hard to work out. She said when bar owners have been contacted in the past, a lack of a coherent plan has been the downfall of any sort of change.

Clark Richardson, former president of Students for Smoke-Free Bars and senior in agricultural business, said some Ames bar owners have admitted to wanting to go smoke-free, “but wanted to go smoke-free at the same time” to minimize the number of disgruntled customers.

To ease the transition into the smoke-free atmosphere that Muljadi envisions, Bali Satay House has been using occasional smoke-free nights to instill a sense of a smoke-free atmosphere.

“Bali Satay has been going smoke-free every Tuesday in March,” Law said. “They’re also planing to go smoke-free during Veishea weekend and would like to have smoke-free nights more often.”

Muljadi confirmed that Bali Satay will be going smoke-free April 2, 5, 10, 11 and 12. He said going smoke-free during the Veishea weekend will allow him to test the waters and get a better idea of what patrons really feel about the issue.

“This is really a good moment for us – going smoke-free on consecutive weekends. I want to see how that comes out,” Muljadi said. “It’s a good way to pass around to the people of Ames that we’re going smoke-free soon.”

As a former smoker, Muljadi said he understands that some people may be disappointed with a transition before a smoking ban is passed, but he is committed to making the change.

“I would like it to [go smoke-free] because it’s a restaurant too,” Muljadi said of his establishment. “A lot of people hate smoking, but many people want the freedom of smoking, too.”

Muljadi said both smokers and nonsmokers have voiced their opinions to him, but everyone should be prepared for change.

“About half and half have been pro-smoking and anti-smoking,” he said. “When the ordinance is applied – it is going to come to Ames anyway, we just don’t know how soon.

“I would just like to go earlier, before the ordinance comes, but I also don’t want to jeopardize my business, either.”