New numbers show most Oregon bars are ready for an upcoming smoke-free law.

AP file photo

A smoker lights up a cigarette.

About nine out of ten bar owners responding to the survey say they know about the upcoming law.

Many of those are preparing to go smoke-free early.

Bar manager Dennis Pressley will make the change begrudgingly, and not until he must.

“I don't know why they couldn't just leave us alone. There aren't many of us around like this,” he said, referring to The Horse Brass Pub, a place well-known for its beer variety and smokiness.

“Let us do our thing. If you don't like to smoke, don't come in.”

In less than six months, Pressley is going to have to tell all his loyal customers they can't smoke anymore.

Jesse Phelps is one of them.

He is not embracing the change.

“It's part of the tradition at the Horse Brass that you can come in here and have a smoke and throw some darts,” he said.

His dart buddy, CJ Cox, says the upcoming law is “a sign.”

“If it helps people quit … and I'm somebody who needs to quit smoking.”

“There is really not a negative business effect when establishments go smoke-free,” explained Cathryn Cushman, a spokeswoman at Oregon’s Department of Human Services.

The state is studying how well bars are preparing for the smokefree transition.

Among the 6,000 bars it recently surveyed, 91 percent said they were aware of the upcoming law.

44 percent are already voluntarily smokefree.

“A lot places realize that for the health of their employees and their customers it's really the way to go to be smokefree,” said Cushman.

Horse Brass patron –and non-smoker- Cheryl Burlingame doesn't mind the ban.

“I don't like to be subjected to smoke.”

Starting January 1st all bars bowling alleys and bingo halls in Oregon. must comply with the smoking ban.

The fine for not doing so could be up to $500 a day.