Roanoke, VA - In just 50-days, smokers will find it a little more difficult to do so in their favorite eating spots. The new law goes into effect December 1st, requiring restaurants to have separate, ventilated facilities for smokers, if they allow smoking at all.

Governor Tim Kaine (web) was in Roanoke Thursday afternoon kicking off the countdown.

We talked to restaurant owners about the new changes, and some folks are making big changes, but others are doing nothing at all.

Bottom line, not one owner we talked to, whether they agreed with the ban or not, believe the new law will hurt their business.

"It's good for business and helps people enjoy their food more, but the main thing is it protects people's health," Kaine said.

People like Jason Martin, who owns Martin's in downtown Roanoke. He and his employees are twice as likely to get cancer from secondhand smoke, just because they work in a restaurant. He doesn't mind the law and plans to roll with the punches.

"We have to embrace it. We're going to go non-smoking. The room really isn't big enough to break up and do the separate ventilation and all the things they require you to do if you wanna keep smoking," Martin said.

But to keep his smoking customers happy, he plans to expand with sidewalk dining, similar to the solution used by many downtown restaurants. Even more importantly, he sees no negative effect coming out of the change.

"I think it's actually going to help us in the long run. The smokers are the smokers and they're still going to smoke, but, in other big cities it's worked and I don't see why it won't work here too," Martin said.

Governor Kaine says he sees no evidence restaurants will be hurt financially either. He agrees with Martin that the ban will help businesses in the long run.

"Especially for health insurance costs for employees and fire insurance rates that they have to pay to protect their businesses," Kaine said.

So who will be affected? Smoking will be prohibited in most restaurants that are open to the public. And those who decide to keep smoking in place will have to provide patrons with a separate, well ventilated space.

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