©
BY BOB LEWIS
RICHMOND
Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said amendments that substantially dilute a compromise bill to sharply curb smoking in Virginia restaurants breached a deal he made with House Republican leaders.
The House, meanwhile, voted 61-37 for its identical version of the watered-down Senate bill it approved Monday. That puts both bills before the Senate where the House amendments face a challenge.
Kaine wouldn't commit Tuesday to vetoing the measure if the House amendments remain, but he was clear that they are unpalatable. Neither measure passed with the 67-vote majority necessary to sustain a veto in the 100-member House.
"We made a deal," Kaine told reporters Tuesday morning. "Folks said we're going to stand up and support a bill that has some very defined provisions in it, and we need to get the bill back to the deal. The advocacy community feels strongly about it and so do I."
The compromise announced last week by Kaine and Republican House Speaker William J. Howell called for requiring separately ventilated rooms in restaurants for patrons who smoke. It exempted private clubs.
For Virginia, a state that has celebrated tobacco since the founding of Jamestown 400 years ago, last week's compromise was remarkable. Efforts to restrict smoking have died routinely in a state Capitol where frescoes of golden tobacco leaves adorn the rotunda ceiling seven miles from Philip Morris' massive cigarette factory.
Among Republican amendments, a requirement that smoking areas be separated by a door and separate ventilation was weakened to require either a door or an independent air system, not both. The start date for the proposed ban was also deferred three months to Jan. 1, 2010.
The amendment Kaine finds most objectionable exempts all establishments that are off-limits to minors.
"I think the health of adults is important, too," Kaine said. "This was not a minors' health bill. It was an all-Virginians health bill."
Virginian-Pilot staff writer Warren Fiske contributed to this report
For more details, return to PilotOnline.com later and read tomorrow's Virginian-Pilot.
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katet43483, I can't wait
I can't wait until the govt starts dealing with overweight and obese children, and the laws that could surround it. I wounder what you will be saying then.
Ralen
Yes, it's "people's" choice to allow their children to be subjected to second-hand smoke which we all know compromises their health and well being. That is why the government has to step in and protect them. Get it? Smokers are too addicted (studies show tobacco damages the brain) and selfish to make good decisions on their own. That's why the bill to outlaw smoking in vehicles with children is a good one, too. If adults do not have the fortitude to do right by themselves and their families, I suppose the gov't. has to.
Comment
In the meantime, while we're waiting for everyone to come to their senses, we can choose to be mature and avoid those establishments that allow smoking. Or we can choose to be immature and subject ourselves and loved ones to second-hand smoke at establishments that allow smoking and then complain about it. Either way, it's a choice we make. Stop trying to blame others for the consequences of your choices. No one forces you to patronize a smoking allowed establishment. No one forces you to take your kids to a smoking allowed establishment. No one forces the employees to apply for work at a smoking allowed establishment. People choose to give their business to those places and people choose to work at those places. If they want to smoke or inhale second-hand smoke, that's their choice.
Hello?
This isn't about smoking...
Is anyone paying attention here?
Oh, Come On!
Everyone knows smoking kills and mains. Give it up! Only smoke in your own home if you are too addicted to do the right thing, which is to quit.
one hand
I can count, on one hand, the amount of people posting here that understand the issue at hand. Hint, it doesn't rhyme with 'poking'.
I think adults and restaurants can make up their own minds
"I think the health of adults is important, too," Kaine said. "This was not a minors' health bill. It was an all-Virginians health bill."
Sorry Governor, but adults and restaurant/bar owners are capable of making up their own mind. They don't need you or anyone else telling them what they can do when it comes to smoking. Every restaurant/bar owner already knows what their customers want. If they want to smoke, then the sign goes on the door that it's a "smoking allowed establsishment". If not then, "Non-smoking establishment" sign goes on the door.
It is that simple! Leave it alone!
RE: ScottC (continued)
Finally, your comment about asbestos in schools is NOT a valid point. Sending a kid to school is a VERY different situation than choosing which restaurant or bar you go to. Schools are (mostly) run and operated by the Government, to provide a service they owe you and your family. Bars and restaurants are not run by the Govt., and do not "owe you" ANYTHING. Schools primarily cater to kids, All bars, and many restaurants, do not. You as a taxpayer have a legitimate right to expect that you can send your kid to a safe school to get a quality education. Business owners have rights concerning having some say in how they run their business. While I think its important for the Govt. to have rules (like health codes) to protect the public from dangers and risks that we would normally be unaware of, consumers can clearly tell if an establshiment allows smoking or not, and can decide for themselves if they want to expose themselves to that risk. Some bar owners want to cater to crowds that like to smoke, and would really prefer it if you take your business elsewhere if that bothers you.
We need
Helmets for automobile drivers! Do you know how many lives it will save? Make it a law!!
RE: ScottC
First, your point about littering is very valid - I hate that too. Smokers should dispose of their cigarette butts in a responsible manner, Or get charged with littering when they don't. Second, I am NOT a smoker, but I can't stand Govt. trouncing on individual rights. Third, I believe that the dangers of 2nd hand smoke are grossly over-hyped and over-exagerrated.
My grandmother smoked like a chimney all of her life since she was a young adult and died of lung cancer - when she was 93! My father smoked 2 packs a day around me all the time when I was a kid. This was over 30 year ago - NO IMPACT to my health, or to the health of my brother or sister. None, zippo, zilch.
I don't like smoking, I know its harmful to smoke, and I would encourage smokers to quit. But they still have rights, as do the the business owners who would cater to them.