Ames’ restaurants, bars and hotels are preparing for the smoking ban that will go into effect August 1.

A question and answer session was held Thursday at City Hall for owners of licensed establishments that allow smoking.

The 15 people who attended learned that minors will be banned from smoking areas during hours smoking is permitted.

City Attorney John Klaus and acting Chief of Police Terry Bird led the discussion that helped owners understand the new ordinance.

The law limits the times and areas smoking is allowed in licensed establishments, Klaus said.

“The purpose of the ordinance is to prohibit smoking in public places except for a few exemptions,” he said.

Klaus said exemptions from the smoking ordinance include private clubs where memberships are required and rooms rented for private social events.

Some bars will be excluded as well.

“Bars and liquor establishments where food sales are only 10 percent of the total sales are exempt from the ordinance,” he said.

Restaurant owners voiced concern for employees under the age of 18.

Klaus said there is no exemption in the ban for employees younger than 18 and they will not be allowed in areas designated for smoking.

“Minors are not allowed where smoking is allowed … whether they have a parent with them or not,” he said.

Fines will be issued to minors present in smoking areas, he said.

Bar owners asked if minors would be allowed in a bar if the bar were to designate a smoke-free section.

“We didn’t think of that, but it could be a possibility,” Klaus said. “We’ll deal with it when and if it comes up.”

People smoking in non-designated areas or during the times smoking is not allowed will be fined, he said.

Ames resident Harlan Dubansky handed out videotapes about a successful smoke-free restaurant in Rochester, Minn., to Ames restaurant owners.

The video focuses on Joe Powers, owner of The Canadian Honker Restaurant and Catering, who decided to make his restaurant smoke-free, Dubansky said.

He said Powers’ business increased greatly after becoming a non-smoking environment.

In the video, Powers mentions the city of Boulder, Colo., that underwent an anti-smoking ordinance.

He said Boulder was a cleaner community because of the ban.

Powers also said smoking bans set a good example for children.

Affected establishments will be informing the public and visitors about the smoking ordinance with posted signs and table tents, Klaus said.

For the next two weeks a series of newspaper and radio ads will also help inform the public about the ordinance, he said.