DeKalb smokers will officially be butted out Sept. 1.

The smoking ban, which went into effect Sept. 1, 2006 for all other liquor license holders excluding Class A, will go in to full effect Sept. 1, 2007 prohibiting smoking in Class A bars.

A Class A license entitles that at least 75 percent of the sales from an establishment are from liquor.

“Bars starting Sept. 1, 2007; smoking will be prohibited in any bar which may obtain a liquor license from the City of DeKalb created the effective date after the ordinance,” the ordinance reads.

At the time the ordinance was drafted, some bar owners expressed concern about losing business from the ban, so a delay was granted to Class A bars for a transition period, said city clerk Donna Johnson. The delay also served as a time for residents to become aware of the ban, she said.

Johnson said the city attorney also advised to let bars finish out their liquor license year, which also renews September 1, before implementing the ban on Class A establishments.

The ordinance also prohibits smoking with 10 feet from any “entrance, passageway, operable window or ventilation system” of any area smoking is prohibited.

The statewide smoking ban, which will go in to effect Jan. 1, 2008, will call for a 15-foot space between such places where smoking is prohibited, Johnson said.

Under the ordinance, a person who smokes in an area where smoking is prohibited can face a minimum fine of $50 up to $100. A second violation in a one year period can range between $100 and $200 and a third violation the same year period can range between $200 and $500.

In addition to the fines issued to a patron, a violation by a person who owns, manages or controls a public place or place of employment may result in the revocation of any permit or license issued by the city of DeKalb.

John Sanfilippo, owner of Molly’s Eatery and Drinkery, 1022 W. Lincoln Highway, said he thought the ban was a good thing, but if there will be any change in business “remains to be seen.”