Montana bars and casinos will soon be required to go smoke-free, and some businesses are preparing for the big day by taking extra steps to accommodate their smoking customers.

Once the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act goes into effect next week, smoking customers at the City Bar in Great Falls will still have a place to go, thanks to owner Brad Watson.

Watson has commissioned an eight-by-ten foot "smoking lounge" that will be able to house six or seven people at a time. He admits building a new area for smokers outside his bar is a bit of an expense, but he says it's worth it.

Watson noted that he has a lot of regulars that smoke, and reports that they are glad that he's building what some are calling a "smoke shack."

While not everyone is excited about the new law, Watson hopes his efforts will help bar-goers adjust to the implementation of the law. He said, "I think it'll take our customers a little while to get used to. Hopefully, this will help, what I'm doing."

Watson expects the new area will be completed by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, just ahead of the new law.

The state's Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect in 2005 to prohibit smoking inside public rooms and vehicles including schools, stores, public transportation and restaurants.

Most restaurants were required to implement the no-smoking provision shortly after the law was passed, but many bars and casinos were given additional time to comply.

The law takes full effect on October 1st.