ARLINGTON, Va. - The process to get cigarette smoke out of Virginia restaurants and bars is well underway and now businesses are on the clock.

It's a choice Virginians get to make now, as long as restaurants and bars have a separate closed room or an open air patio for smokers.

The new law continues to cause controversy as many owners say it's going to cost a lot to come into compliance while others must make architecture and air system changes.

"It's going to effect small businesses like us -- the neighborhood bar because a majority of our customers do smoke," said Sherry Gilbert, a bar manager.

Some establishments are ready for the new law. Whitlow's in Arlington has a room with the required ventilation system that will accommodate the customers who choose to smoke.

"Which gives us the ability to completely close off the rest of the restaurant so this area will be completely isolated," said Nadim Kouttab, manager of of Whitlow's.

At the Forest Inn, owner Kan Choudhary says his option may be turning his restaurant into a private club which are considered exempt from the new law.

"What are their conditions? You know, it's not going to be that [easy] you know, turn into a private club overnight. So we'll see how it goes," he said.

While Virginia's new law doesn't go as far as a total smoking ban, patrons are split in their opinions about being divided.

"It's the tobacco state, what does that tell you? They're going to hurt for taxes, they're going to lose revenue," said Curtis Heflin, a patron.

"I thought Virginia wouldn't change to non-smoking because it's the tobacco [state] but I was thrilled to hear it," said Jeni Porter, a patron.

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