Ban on smoking in Va. restaurants passes key test
BOB BROWN
Members of the Virginia House of Delegates vote on an amendment to the smoking bill, which later passed 61-38.
The House of Delegates voted 61-38 today to tentatively approve an amended version of a bill calling for statewide restrictions on smoking in restaurants.
The ban, a compromise between Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat, and Speaker of the House William J. Howell, R-Stafford, would make exceptions for private clubs and restaurants with a designated smoking room that is physically separated and independently ventilated from non-smoking dining areas. It also would exclude any permanent outdoor patio area of a restaurant or any portion of a restaurant used just for private functions.
The vote in the Republican-controlled House marks a crack in the last barrier to a further clampdown on smoking in public. In past years, the Senate has passed restrictions on smoking, but the bills have not made it to the full House for a vote.
The House today supported several changes to the bill proposed by Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Gate City. Among them was to postpone the implementation to Jan. 1, 2010, and to allow smoking in any restaurant when minors are not allowed in.
The House bill will come up again tomorrow for a final vote. A Senate version of the smoking ban compromise is scheduled to come up on the House floor this evening.
—Olympia Meola
Reader Reactions
Was just messin’ with you zerro! I don’t care what anyone says, you’re a good man. I just think its hypocritical for people to demonize tobacco—for “health” reasons—while simultaneously pushing for the legalization of marijuana. Hey, that’s real healthy stuff, huh?
Got to give props to “Hunter” for smoking on “patios and decks” of friends and not in his home.
Some of you posters have a “holier than thou” attitude about smokers and smoking. Yes, quitting is hard; I stopped more than 25 years ago and still crave a cigarette. I haven’t gone back because I KNOW for a fact smoking/second hand smoke is deadly. Once I begin, it will never stop.
Anyone who says smoking or second hand smoke does not harm is blatantly ignorant. It’s been known since 1964 it was injurious to health and 45 years of statistics prove it. Anyone who has been smoking for years and does not have lung cancer, emphysema, COPD, asthma, or any other lung problem or some cancers, is purely lucky.
Smoking is dirty, smelly, ugly, nasty, and by the way, look at what smokers do to their environment—dump ashtrays on sidewalks or pavement, throw cigarettes out the window causing fires. Imagine buying a $60,000 brand new car and smoking in it. That’s the height of stupidity! I see this all the time when I’m driving around town. Not only is it smelling up the car and themselves, you can’t juggle a lit cigarette and a cell phone and I’ve seen both being done!
I don’t really favor the govt getting involved in telling restaurant owners how to run their business, but if that’s what it takes to eliminate smoking inside buildings, I’m for it. By the way, contrary to popular belief, restaurants and clubs who ban smoking actually increase their business. People who don’t want smoking, will go elsewhere to eat a meal.
Now you smokers, take one day at a time to kick the habit.
The restaurant industry needs to thank the Governor and Senate and House of Delegates when they go out of business. I used to frequently Shulas 2 a great restaurant off of Broad Street in Richmond, until they banned Cigar smoking although they this allow cigarette smoking. I asked them why, their only answer was that the hotel would no longer allow cigars. I went take a added up what my friends from around Virginia and the US had spent the last year at the establishment it startled me we had been loyal customers at had spent over $12,000 dollars. Well we never went back. Now we either go to Baileys down the street or visit our homes and cookout and smoke on our patio’s and decks and I tell you the truth I like visiting my friends homes better and I don’t mind saving the money either. The sad thing is though can these restaurants afford it and can our freedom afford it, When will the Governor take away your Big Mac because it’s too fattening or your next couple of coffee, go ahead let them take away your freedom. I need to go watch Mel Gibson in Braveheart!!!!
sorry,LARRY,but my lung dr. said i have COPD.an that i am entering into the early stages of emphsemeia((m spl))to QUIT or DIE !!scary,, i thought i just had that bug going around,;and he swears its SMOKING !,what can i say :( i am trin to quit an i am going CRAZY !!
Shame on you zerro, for turning your back on your smoking brothers & sisters.
as a non-smoker,then a smoker,then a non-smoker and now back to smoking,i am for banning all smoking in all places,yes i said it,and i have found that i dont light up as much because its harder to;however just like we have ABC stores and or bars to egt your buzz on,i do think that restuarants and bars should be allowed to have a smokers bar/restuarant IF THEY CHOOSE TO ,,AND NOTE IT AS SUCH !!
Great news!! Now I wont have to smell those nasty Marlboro & Camel cigs.
Smoking makes you 10 times more productive? I think I know where you pulled that statistic from. We have 2 smokers in my office and they are constantly away from their desks for 15 or more minutes at a time smoking. How does that make you more productive?
If you work for tobacco you should definitly not buy American when you have a choice.Japanese make better automobles anyway!
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