Law enforcement agencies and emergency services would be exempt from the ban.

Would exempt certain state workers laid off because of budget cuts from the ban against doing business with their former agencies.

It is not clear who would decide which regulations are exempt from the 90-day ban.

The exemption of the special forces from the ban added to the controversy.

Speculation rages over which party would get the greater advantage from the ban on soft money.

White House officials whose responsibilities cover a broad number of areas would be excluded from the ban.

City officials said the hotel contended that it was exempt from the ban.

This has happened through a new process that provides for exemptions from the ban in the case of "critical uses."

Restaurants with 50 or fewer seats will be exempt from the ban.

The establishments exempt from the ban would have to be smoke free by August 2009.