Warren Fiske
The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine wants to ban smoking in restaurants across the state and relax rules for absentee voting before elections.
The governor sought smoking bans in the 2007 and 2008 General Assembly sessions only to see them defeated. Kaine renewed his call for the ban Tuesday in Arlington.
He also has scheduled a news conference for today in Richmond, where he is expected to call for fewer restrictions on early voting.
The General Assembly will consider the proposals during a six-week session that begins Jan. 14.
Kaine said he is urging the smoking ban out of "concern for the health and well-being of all Virginians, as well as recognition of the high public costs of second hand smoke."
The state Senate has approved restaurant smoking bans, but the measures have been killed by a seven-member subcommittee of the House General Laws Committee. Republicans who control the House say people should be able decide whether to patronize smoking restaurants without government interference.
That logic, Kaine and other supporters of the ban reply, does not consider the health of restaurant employees.
Last year's chairwoman of General Laws - Del. Terrie Suit, R-Virginia Beach - refused to exercise her prerogative to ignore the sub-panel's action and bring the legislation before the entire 22-member committee.
Suit resigned from the legislature last year to join a lobbying firm. The new chairman - Del. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk - did not return phone calls Tuesday.
After complaints that Virginia was ill-prepared to handle a record Election Day turnout of 3.7 million voters on Nov. 4, some say easing restrictions on early voting is a good remedy.
Thirty-one states, including Virginia, allow some form of early voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some, like Virginia, allow in-person absentee ballot voting before the election by individuals who meet qualifying criteria. They include soldiers stationed abroad and those who are disabled, pregnant or out of town on business.
Kaine's plan is said to mirror a bill by state Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, to permit absentee voting in person - without the voter having to give a reason.
"We're both endorsing the bill," Howell said of Kaine. "We both think it's an important step forward for Virginia.
The argument against, she said, has been that there can be fraud. "That is simply not the case. This strikes a balance between legal protections and convenience for the voters."
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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What?
If you're implying employment loss due to regulation of tobacco as a drug by the FDA, or the eradication of tobacco as a product legally sold in the states, in any fashion, employment will actually increase. Land used for tobacco farming could be used for other, more labor intensive agriculture or some totally different type business, such as a green technology. ATF agents would still have employment. Fines, paid by those illegally growing tobacco, would go to localities & states.
twomiler2
You left out the unemployment.
revenue
loss due to the eradication of tobacco products, from the retail market, could be replaced by the elimination of tax loopholes, for large corporations & the wealthiest citizens. Productivity, on the job, will increase dramatically. No smoke breaks, less sick leave, less cost,(for medical care, clean up, etc), acres of fertile land available for food products, parks, college agriculture sites. Overall revenue would actually increase.
katet43483
Do you have any idea how much our taxes would go up if all tobacco products were "erdicated"?
It sounds to me like you have a rare desease, and I hope you are having it looks at by professionals. May I suggest Johns Hopkins?
Allergies
There have been cases in which 1 allergic to shellfish, died, just because a waiter walked by that person's table, carrying a tray of broiled lobster. So why are smokers & their enablers so resistant to the fact that 2nd & 3rd hand cigarette smoke is hazordous to others? 1 may have the freedom to choose to slowly ruin his or her health by smoking tobacco. Yet 1 doesn't have the right to endanger others, be they family or strangers.
Au Contraire,
smoke from tobacco products is comprised of many deadly, toxic ingredients, such as formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, DDT, Benzene, Butane, lead, arsenic, ammonia, nickel, polonium & many more. An elementary school student knows these as dangerous. Obese people may cost others, as to insurance premiums, for instance, (even that is to a lesser degree than smokers cost nonsmokers), but if they're nonsmokers, they don't cause the illness & death of others. If 1 must smoke, then 1 is a drug addict. As such, they should be treated in the fashion of other addicts. Aided with treatment to quit & denied access to that which is killing them & all who come into contact with them.
gertzpoint
Wow, interesting that you would remember what I said months ago. It may sound dumb to you that smoke bothers me so adversely; but, to me it's way more than annoying. I contract a sinus infection and upper respiratory ailments from second hand smoke. I am glad your son is a considerate smoker, but for his sake, I hope he can quit. And you are quite correct that I will not be satified until tobacco is eradicated. It is a deadly product!
like I said katet43483 and others
Non smokers aren't going to be satisfied until cigarettes are banned from the world. And yes, since you brought it up, your obese son does afffect my wallet.
I will stick to my point that there are hundreds of non-smoking restaurants and bars in the Hampton Roads area, you have no need to go to ones that do allow smoking. My son is an adult, 35 years old, he is the first one to tell you smoking is bad, he will also tell you that he enjoys smoking. Yes, at times he says he would like to quit, but that time has not come as of today. He is a polite smoker by not smoking around others who don't smoke, but if he wants a beer and a burger then he will go to a place that allows smoking. He should have that option, becuase you aren't going to be there and never will. You are also the one that stated smokers should not be allowed to smoke in their car because it bothers you when you pull up next to them at a stop light. Please excuse me, but that's the dumbiest thing I've ever heard.
SecondHand Smoke Impacts Everyone
Although I believe that most people care about others, It is amazing to see how many people really do not want to understand the dangers of secondhand smoke to themselves and others. Jobs are scarce, so many young adults and non smokers do not have the option to give up their jobs in places of business that allow smoking. As a result, their possibility of getting severe and deadly compications (cancer) is tripled.
It is not the smell that causes the problem folks, it is the burning and inhalation of chemicals found in tobacco, such as embalming fluid, acetone, and butane, that can cause problems when inhaled. No, it does not happen to everyone but do you want to put your family members at risk? What about heart health? Anyone have high blood pressure? Nicotine constricts blood vessels and nicotine is also found in secondhand smoke. Kids breathe it in also - Is this ok with you? People who smoke are definitey as important as those who don't- I would like to see a healthier environment for everyone. Peace.
gertzpoint
No wonder your son hasn't compained about the sales tax, at .30 cents a pack it's one of the smallest in the Country. Even doubling it as the Governor has suggested, is way below most States. All of the info. is available, just Google it. For you to imply non-smokers should quietly sit by and allow smokers to pollute their airspace or dictate where they can dine is ludicrous. Perhaps you should be a tad tougher on your son in encouraging him to quit rather than being an enabler. I know it's tough, I have a son who has a serious weight problem but at least sitting next to him won't damage your health (though admittedly his health issues affect everyone's pocketbook regarding health care costs.)I feel sorry for your son and his addiction and hope he can find a program to quit that works for him.