A federal judge upheld the ban arguing it does not violate the rights of bar owners. Bar owners argued the ban was unfairly applied because it exempts casinos and airport smoking lounges.

According to the judge, the exemptions are not unfair or irrational.

The suit was filed in June, challenging the smoking ban approved by the Legislature and the Governor last spring. The ban came into effect on July 1 and exempts casinos, cigar bars, airport smoking lounges and private workplaces with 3 or less employees.

One of the bases for the complaint was that smoking was banned at bingo halls but not casinos, but both places offer gambling and have workers exposed to smoke.