Smokers have fewer places to light up downtown as a wave of no-smoking policies sweeps the county, said Theresa Campitell, cancer control specialist with the American Cancer Society.

The Centre County Tobacco Prevention Coalition sends out surveys every year, to find out which businesses are smoke-free, Campitell said. Last year, about 30 restaurants said they prohibited smoking. About 45 restaurants replied to the survey as non-smoking establishments this year, she said.

The Corner Room Restaurant, 100 W. College Ave., has not always been a smoke-free enterprise, manager Dave Weaver said.

The restaurant adopted a smoke-free policy in January 2000 for business reasons, he said.

"[A smoke-free policy] facilitated smoother operations," Weaver said. "People were waiting for non-smoking tables with smoking tables open."

An "increased vigilance from non-smoking customers about their discomfort" encouraged management to change its guidelines, Weaver said.

Most customers understand the need for the change in policy, and The Corner Room has received few complaints, he said.

Smoking customers have adjusted their dining habits accordingly.

"[The] few people who voiced discontent when [the nonsmoking policy] started have found other places to eat and drink, for the most part," Weaver said.

Mike Hendrickson (senior-marketing), a smoker, said smoke-free policies did not bother him and that stepping outside for a few moments -- even in the cold -- was a viable option.

"If [going outside's] too much for you, you should stop smoking," he said.

He said he understood many people do not want their clothes smelling like smoke.

Most places downtown have smoking and non-smoking sections, Teresa Sparacino of the Downtown Improvement District said.

According to the Tobacco Coalition, there are 33 completely smoke-free restaurants in State College.

At the Daily Grind Coffeehouse, 107 E. Beaver Ave., customers can sit outside to smoke, said employee Brian Mazzara. There are no partitions in the establishment, so the entire restaurant had to be smoke-free in order for any of it to be smoke-free.

This is a policy the Daily Grind has had since the café opened, he added.

Other businesses downtown have adopted similar policies.

"Smoke and fire don't mix well with books," said Matthew Stullken, employee at Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St.

There are tables outside, and Webster's has not received any complaints, he said.

"It has been like this since we opened," Stulken added.

Students who live on campus have additional smoking restrictions.

Smoking is prohibited in all facilities, at all locations and in all vehicles controlled by Penn State, according to policy AD32 which addresses the university's smoking guidelines, Clifford Lutz, Penn State Police supervisor, said.