Va. Senate passes curbs on smoking

How Effective Is Virginia's Smoking Ban?

Credit: Capital News Service

On Dec. 1, 2009, bars and restaurants across Virginia were ordered to put out their cigarettes or renovate their buildings to accommodate non-smokers. A year and a half later, how effective is the ban?

By: Jim Nolan | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: February 13, 2012

Smoking would be prohibited on school grounds and in government buildings under two bills easily passed by the Virginia Senate today.

Senate Bill 467, sponsored by Sen. Ralph S. Northam, D-Norfolk, would ban smoking inside and outside school buildings and on school property. Northam, a physician who two years ago co-sponsored legislation banning smoking in nearly all Virginia restaurants, said this bill is necessary to send a consistent message to children.

"Kids are impressionable and we would like them not to choose to smoke," he told colleagues in his remarks on the floor. Having teachers or coaches or other adults smoking outside the classroom "doesn't leave a good impression."

The bill cleared on a 32-8 vote.

Northam's other anti-smoking bill, Senate Bill 468, cleared on a 29-11 vote. The legislation would extend the smoking prohibition in the executive branch of state government to legislative and judicial offices as well as local government offices.

The legislation, however, has an opt-out provision that would allow localities to permit smoking in their facilities.

Both measures now head to the House of Delegates for consideration.