As the state works out final details on how Iowa’s sweeping statewide smoking ban will be implemented on July 1, one official tells Iowa Independent that bars will be allowed to have patios where patrons can smoke.

“In the law, bars can have smoking on their patio,” said Bonnie Mapes, director of Tobacco Use, Prevention and Control with the Iowa Department of Public Health. “What’s being determined right now is what is a bar.”In other states and cities with smoking bans, the distinction between restaurants and bars has been drawn largely based on percentage sales of food. Mapes is giving no clues about how this will work in Iowa, though.

“We are close to coming up with a definition,” she said.

Mapes said draft rules will be made public soon but she provided no date.

One major issue will be the protocol the Iowa Department of Public Health will use to enforce the ban.

Mapes urges business owners to refrain from adding patios or taking other innovative measures until the final rules are released.

“We are counseling patience,” Mapes said.