DES MOINES - State public health officials are declaring Iowa's year-old anti-smoking law a success.

Tom Newton, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, said about 1 percent of the more than 82,000 businesses that are subject to the Smokefree Air Act received notices of potential violations since the law took effect on July 1, 2008. "I am happy to say that our enforcement efforts have been very effective during this first year of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act," Newton said.

Over the past year, notices of potential violation have been sent to 1,015 businesses with employees, according to the department. Notices are generated after the state receives a valid complaint from the public or inspector visit.

"The notice of potential violation is primarily a tool for educating employers about what they need to do to come into compliance with the law," Newton said. "Of businesses who receive a first notice, 79 percent do not receive a second notice."

Preliminary numbers indicate the top business types for which a first notice of potential violation has been issued are:

-- Bars and restaurants, 53 percent.

-- Retail stores and service-based businesses, 20 percent.

-- Private and member clubs, 3 percent.

-- Government, 3 percent.

-- Hotels and motels, 2 percent.

The remaining 19 percent of employers who have received a violation notice represent a wide variety of Iowa businesses.

"The high level of compliance with the Smokefree Air Act means that we as a state are well on our way to achieving that goal. In addition, it demonstrates that the vast majority of employers in Iowa are abiding by this law, helping us create a brighter, healthier future for our state," Gov. Chet Culver said.