Nevada's new indoor smoking ban won approval from a state judge who said that the law's $100 civil fine was constitutional, but ruled out criminal penalties of up to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines.

The Associated Press reported Jan. 23 that Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon cleared the way for the voter-approved initiative to be enforced statewide. The Clean Indoor Air Act has been in effect since Dec. 8 in most of Nevada, but was challenged in court by bars, supermarkets and convenience stores in Clark County.

The ruling means that state health inspectors can cite smokers who light up indoors as well as bar owners who don't remove ash trays and post "no smoking" signs.

The law will still allow smoking on casino gaming floors.