If you are not one of them, you certainly have seen them - huddling from the cold, trying to dodge the raindrops and the snowflakes.

They are the smokers who work in area offices and stores. Winter takes its toll on them as they attempt to grab a puff before returning to work.

Collier-Ports, at 4863 Gallia St., New Boston, has created something that area businesses have begun providing for their employees, especially since the new smoking ban law went into effect.

“We build smoking shelters or huts to fit the customer's needs,” said Luke Rhea, a Collier-Ports employee. “Depending on the size, we can build them on the site, people can buy the materials and build them themselves, or if they are small enough, we can build them here and deliver them.”

Rhea said the shelters are smaller versions of their carports, and consist of a roof and open sides, but can be built with sides as well.

“If they want them between buildings, they may not need them with sides, but if they are out in the open, we can put the sides and back on them,” he said.

The shelters are nothing new to Collier-Ports.

“We've sold them for years, but just hadn't marketed them until the new law came into effect, and we saw the need.”

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.