It has been six months since the Ohio smoking ban took effect and some area businesses say so far.. not so good.

Bar owners are launching a petition drive in hopes of rolling back part of the state's smoking ban.

They used to smoke in here, but now have to go out here.

Something the VFW in Marietta is up in arms about, along with many other business across the state of Ohio.

"I think we need a place were we can light up at the Veteran's Club and be able to enjoy a cigarette," says VFW member Larry Carver.

Bars owners across the state have teamed up to fight the ban and need 402 thousand signatures to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

It would allow smoking in private clubs, bars, and also in bowling alley's after 6 pm--something the VFW says is their right.

"These guys have backed this club for 40 years. I'm supposed to walk up to a guy who's 85 and lighting a cigarette and tell him not to do that? I can't do that and i won't do that," says VFW President Ronnie Davis.

The VFW says the ban has also been bad for business.

Since the ban took effect they've had to close one of their biggest money makers--bingo because the people just haven't been coming.

For now, there are many empty bar stools are at VFW Post 5108.. something members say was not the case at this time last year

Voters approved the ban back in November, but many area businesses are fighting it because they say the law is much stricter than they originally understood.