Today is the perfect day to quit smoking.

There are already dozens of reasons why you should - for your health, for your qualify of life, for your pocketbook. Now, add to all those one more very good reason why you should stop smoking: because starting today, it's illegal to light up in public buildings. That includes not only Montana's schools and hospitals, all of which are already smoke-free, but also some of the last favorite holdouts for smokers, such as bars and casinos.

It will be an adjustment for some dedicated smokers accustomed to indulging their habit at their regular hangouts, and for some business owners who believe they will be seeing a lot less of their regular customers due to the Clean Indoor Air Act. The act was approved in 2005, but its full implementation has been delayed to give business owners time to adjust. Many of them have used that extra time to build or designate special smoking areas outdoors, or in open but sheltered rooms.

However, it appears many more are embracing the intent of the ban, putting the health of their customers and employees first. After all, these are the folks who, even if they choose not to use tobacco, are exposed to all that second-hand smoke - and who risk suffering the adverse health effects. It was for them at the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act was passed.

By now everyone should be aware of the horrible diseases and disabilities caused by tobacco use. Those who still choose to smoke do not have the right to cause those illnesses in others.

According to tobaccofree.mt.gov, the state Web site dedicated to sharing information about the Clean Indoor Air Act and resources on how to quit smoking, Montanans spend more than $216 million on medical care attributed to smoking each year. Nationally, it is estimated that each pack of cigarettes costs the public $7, half of which is lost productivity and half of which is medical costs. And in Montana, smokers bought 3.4 million packs of cigarettes in 2002.

But most importantly, the site notes that tobacco-related diseases cause the deaths of four Montanans every day.

That alone should be reason enough to quit smoking today. But if it isn't, it's certainly reason enough to take your habit outside where no one else has to share it.