Smoking bill signed
By JR Hoeft | Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 | PolicyGov. Tim Kaine signed into law yesterday the smoking ban, due to go into effect Dec. 1 of this year, in Virginia Beach yesterday.
According to a Kaine release, the law “includes strong protections for both workers and patrons. Proprietors may not require wait or bus staff to work in any area of the restaurant where smoking may be permitted. Additionally, restaurants that choose to have a separated structure for smoking must ensure that at least one public entrance to the restaurant is in a smoke-free area. Local health departments will inspect for compliance with the smoking prohibitions when completing other routine inspections.”
Also, the release proudly proclaims:
“Although a number of states with smoking bans exempt bars, Virginia’s smoking ban will be one of the strongest in the region—and the strongest amongst the top tobacco-producing states—because the Commonwealth does not differentiate between bars and restaurants. The bill is a significant public health accomplishment and is strongly endorsed by numerous health advocates including the Medical Society of Virginia, March of Dimes, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, Virginia Chapter.”
The governor credits Del. John Cosgrove (R-78) and Sen. Ralph Northam (D-6) for their legislative efforts at getting the bill passed. Glaringly missing on the release was credit to Speaker William Howell.
All three Democratic candidates for governor support the measure, Republican Bob McDonnell opposed it.
“In this tough economic climate, it is disappointing to watch Democrats attempt to demonize one of the biggest employers in Virginia,” Martin said. “It is really unfortunate to watch the Democratic Party, bankrolled to a record degree by big union money, come out attacking a major Virginia employer and threatening jobs.”
According to a recent study by Longwood University, 75% of urban and 50% of rural restaurants are already smoke-free.
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
Comments
2 Responses to "Smoking bill signed"
I’m of two minds about this. When I and Mrs. SST go out we like to sit at the bar because you can strike up conversations with people over cocktails, and we usually eat at the bar.
As a consumer and bar/restaurant patron, it is vastly more enjoyable when there are no smokers in our airspace. That part of me is relieved by this law.
As a lover of liberty, I cringe at the encroachment of Nanny State into the rights of privately owned businesses to set their own policies. The Longwood University study cited above indicates that smoke-free establishments are already favored in the free market.
If the government really wants to stop smoking, why not outlaw tobacco and treat it as a controlled substance?
Jim – I will only say this: my wife and I try to eat at smoke-free restaurants, ergo we rarely venture into northern Virginia, choosing instead to eat/ go to the bar in smoke-free DC. This will change that. I can see us, and our friends, traveling south for an evening without worry that our dinner or conversation will be subject to the whims of another.
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