Norfolk bans smoking in restaurants, effective March 31, 2008

I absolutely agree with Louise G. and George S.'s comments 110%, and I couldn't have said my thoughts better than in both of their posts. Theresa W. Whibley is nothing more than an overreacting anti-smoking zealot who should be very ashamed of herself for trying to impose her will on others. She obviously hasn't done a lot of research about businesses that've economically suffered in other parts of the country, due to smoking bans. Finally, I really wish Norfolk and Virginia Beach had looked into instead passing a law that would only allow businesses to have smoking, if exterior signage is posted stating its smoking policy. Such a law is already successfully working in New Haven, IN, St. Louis County(MO), and Lake St. Louis, MO.

Look out folks, they will be going after red meat next, then all animal protein. Anyone who will take away my rights to make a more pleasant environment for themselves (second hand smoke hazards are greatly exaggerated as junk science) is a selfish individual. Why should your right to a restaurant be any greater than mine? Should we close down the Starbucks, and huka bars as well? Or wouldn't the world be a better place if you were able to choose to find a non smoking establishment to visit, and others were able to choose a smoking establishment to visit? I think I know the answer. You want it all to be your way, and you will use my health to justify your selfish nature.

In FL they banned smoking in all restaurants in 2003 and the restaurants all screamed but they are doing better than ever now. All of us non-smokers who wouldn't set foot in a smoke filled bar now go out and spend money--and we have money because we aren't spending $5 a pack to buy lung cancer.

Kudos Norfolk and Va Beach.... you're onto something great! Now that you've gotten those inconsiderate smokers out of the way, it is time to ban the other people who making restaurant dining uncomfortable; screaming babies who set people's nerves on edge and impede digestion, children who pick their noses then reach their hands into the salad bar, adults who cough into their hand and then use that hand to touch door handles - thus spreading germs, people who don't wash their hands after using the bathroom.... the list goes on and on. So Norfolk and Va Beach, step up to the plate and continue your quest to make restaurant dining an enjoyable experience.

has it occured to anyone that this very issue was on the last ballot and it was shot down hard? City counsel has taken it upon itself agian to ignore the wishes of the people who put them there. We the people (we do remember that, don't we?) need to answer city counsel and other elected officials at the next election with our votes. In effect, Norfolk city counsel shoud be fired no only for ignoring the people and the constitution, but for there arrogance.

Are we living in the old Soviet Union or the United States? Our fore fathers are rolling over in their graves. I remember when someone in our country who did not like something, they went out and did something different. If I owned a bar,which means I put up the capital. Why should be told by the government how I should run it if I pay my taxes? If you don't like going to a smoking bar, open up your own and make it non-smoking. All you whiners get a life. Cars,trucks and buses put out more harmful cancer causing particles than second hand smoke. It is a proven fact that exhaust from vehicles kill. Just ask the people whom commit suicide by locking themselves in a garage and start their cars, in 5 minutes they are dead. Case closed

As a former smoker, sure it's bad. The worst sin on the planet? Please. Smoking dubbed illegal in public, only a matter of time in this 'democratic' society. Times change, people change, so things will always change; however, if Wimbley states that she has public health in mind for this action, then action in other departments is only warranted as well. What I mean is: no support for bio-diesel from Chesapeake, emission control for vehicles, mass transit to rid area of polluting vehicles, and on and on. As the planet rejects our actions, then we all will be forced to change many habits. Ban smoking?! Wield that power citizens-elected!!! If that means "saving-the-world" to you, then job well done.

This ban has nothing to do with smoking, but contol and taking away rights that you may not approve of. You won't go to a different restaurant because it's now smoke free, all you really want to do is btch and complain. Some of your comments are not only hate filled they even wish death to smokers. You are the same group who complain about the new fines, tolls, religion which you want to cram down others throat, and display a total lack of tolerance for anyone who doesn't live as you do. You are a disgusting minority and our City Council has made a huge mistake. The majority of people feel this law is wrong, but our Council never listens to the people anyway. It will all come back and bite you in the ars when your rights are taken away.

It's hard to feel sorry for you people when you have known for at least 20yrs. now of the myriad adverse negative effects of this dangerous drug. Aren't you people incensed at the manufacturers blatent disregard for your llife and those of your families? Just think for a minute of the wealthy lifestyles these murderers are enjoying as they get more and more impressionable young people to try their cancer and emphasema sticks. I watched my uncle die while desperately trying to breath with oxygen while constantly coughing until blood squirted from his weakened and near dead lungs. Stop killing youselves and please stop showing so little respect for those of us who wish to maintain as strong as possible given our poor polluted world.

For those of you commenting on non-smoking sections in restaurants, they are a joke. I can not tell you how many times I've asked for non-smoking and get seated right next to the bar where they allow smoking! Hello??? That is not non-smoking! I can not wait to be able to walk into any restaurant I want and not have to deal with that nasty smell that makes me sick and takes away my appetite! Thank you Norfolk and Virginia Beach!

As a bartender on granby street and a nursing student, I couldn't agree more with this ban. Its a great job to have as a student but being around the smoke all night can really take its toll. It's a pretty unhealthy habit and I feel there are plenty of other places to take it besides a place where others are out to eat.

Thank you Norfolk for banning smoking in restaurants. When a restaurant hostess asks my smoking preference, I hear "smoking or second-hand smoking?" JW in Ches. said it best: it's like having a peeing section in a pool. Would it be okay as long as the pool filter worked well? What's worse than lung cancer is emphysema/copd. If you're trying to quit the habit (addiction, really) visit the former smokers living on ventilators at Lake Taylor or local nursing homes. See how they enjoy their right to be totally bedridden, diapered and covered in bed sores.

Bar and restaurant owners: you will not lose business!!! There are SO many of us waiting for smoke free restaurants and bars. We stay home NOT patronizing your business because of all the filthy, disgusting smokers.

Why would people want a regional ban on smoking. Wouldn't it be better if some areas of Hampton Roads were smoking and others were non-smoking. Wouldn't that be in everybodies best interest. No, it's not really about smoking, it's more about a majority telling a minority what they can do. Careful what you wish for, one day you may be the minority. Let's ban kids in restaurants, breast feeding in public, fat people, people with chronic illness, alcohol in public places, lets require hair nets, latex gloves, and paper respirators, when dining out. Wouldn't want to catch your cold, or get your hair in my food. All these ideas seem silly today. One never knows what the future will bring. Good luck on the ban.

I really don't understand what all the fuss is about. Many cities already have smoking bans which have been very successful as of so far. I can understand how smokers in Boston or Philadelphia would be upset over a ban because they're reduced to smoking in 15 degree weather during the winter months.......but in Virginia.....especially Norfolk, it's relatively warm for a majority of the year. I can easily step outside for a smoke and/or eat my food on a restaurant patio. It wouldn't upset me at all. Smoking is a disgusting habit that I shouldn't expose other people with and I appreciate the fact that others will be forced to do what I already do. GOOD JOB NORFOLK!!!!

Norfolk, don't worry! I will do my best to patronize your restaurants (instead of those close to home in Chesapeake) as often as possible to make up for the few smokers that will be going elsewhere to eat. Jeff, you have the option to stay home and breathe all the smoke-filled air in your own house. Your considerate attitude towards others is unfortunate - especially to those who live with you and don't smoke but have to inhale your left-over poison. And to JW from Chesapeake - your analogy was about as perfect as it gets! I watched a loved one die of lung cancer - and she never even smoked - it was absolutely sad and horrible. I suggest to those of you who smoke to quit ASAP.

Smokers are inconsiderate pigs and should have no rights, as far as I'm concerned. Just look in the street next time you're sitting at a stoplight. I applaud the city councils for having the courage to do the right thing. Tobacco is a strong drug, just as bad or worse as marijuana...it should be regulated as such.

Those of you who want a smoking ban could give a hoot about going to another or different restaurant, or even care about the health issue. All you really want to do is tell people what they can and cannot do, and when to do it. That's really the bottom line. It's sad we are a society that thinks taking away people's right is the right thing to do, but those very people would scream holy hell if someone tried to take anything away from them. You are a pathetic group and I feel sorry for your narrow thinking mind. You are just like George Bush, it's his way or no way and we can see the mess he has made with this country. You have no understanding of the word compromise, and I'll bet it affects other aspects of your life.You are so disgusting!

Either ban smoking completely, or make the smoking area a completely separate section of the room with good, strong ventilation preventing that smoke from entering the rest of the establishment. If you can't comply with either, you either get a fine or shut down. Sounds fair to me, ought to please everyone, huh? Oh, yeah--as for all the comments about not wanting to hear my whining kids in the restaurant--they aren't my kids. When we are being seated, people look like they expect my kids to bite their heads off. What a surprise--no one can hear my kids' voices outside the area of our table. Ya telling me I should take them out too???

I would have to say that it's the smoker's day's that are numbered. Sooner or later you will run out of cities that allow smoking in public places. Then you can stay home and kill yourselves versus ruining other peoples health.

The government heavily taxes cigarettes to provide revenue for many programs. Now it the government doesn't want people to smoke, cigarette sales drop and so does the revenue to fund the programs. To make up that revenue the government will be forced to raise taxes.
Yes, I quit smoking 22 years ago, but I'd rather the smokers pay the taxes instead of me.
So smoke 'em if you got 'em.

I'm sick and tired of having to smell like stale smoke and injury my lungs because of someone's elses bad personal habits. Ban smoking, they still fly on planes don't they? While you're at it, increase the cig tax another $1.00 a pack.

Yes, I am a smoker and I can and do eat at places that are none smoking, but lets pass a law that helps more people, a law that would decrease traffic accidents, decrease child and spousal abuse as well as child neglect. lets ban advertising of alcohol any where! lets ban drinking any alcohol anywhere! wake up folks alcohol harms way more people than ciggaretts. more children are abused and neglected by parents who drink, how many accidents are there and how much do we spend each year to cut down on drunk drivers. i have small children and hate it when during prime time an alcohol commercial comes on making it seem that to be cool and have fun you have to drink. do we really want our children to know who captain morgan is?

If your business counts on smokers, get a new business. Wake the heck up and smell the change in the air. Smoking is a filthy disgusting habit, it should be regulated like addictive drugs, and the things are going to be banned completely someday. Get used to it. The 50's died a long time ago when everyone smoked and it was "cool." You need to dig your head out of your backside and realize your smoking is coming to an end.

I resent being called a crybaby non-smoker. I enjoy going to the bar here in Suffolk to socialize with friends. Why can't I sit at the bar? Who designated the bars as for smokers only? You smokers think you can just light up wherever you want, and if we who care about our health don't like it..then we have no rights to go out in public. My husband and I just put up with it, we come home and immediately take a shower to get the stench out of our hair and body. Wake up and face the fact that smoking is on it's way out.

I think as far as bars are concerned, people are not going to want to go to the bar that has a smoking ban. They will go somewhere else. I understand a restaurant, but shoot, sit in the non smoking section.

Im not a smoker- but Im from the south- tobacco fields and all- and I think a lot of southern towns started from the tobacco industry, and thats what started different industries and businesses, and now you want to take away what got us here......

Nothing is more disgusting than having a meal in a nice restaurant and having smoking at the bar. There will one day be class action lawsuits agaunst restaurant owners that have put there profit concerns above employee health. Several Norfolk restaurants are owned by a physician that knows the danger of second hand smoke but he does not have the concern for his workers to ban smoking. I commend Dr. Whibley for her battle against smoking.

It's about time! The smokers will say they're leaving their old haunts but they won't be gone for long. They're just trying to hold onto their last bastion of public self-abuse. Send the smelly butt holders outside if they want to stink up the place and ruin the dinner of others! Good riddance!! (this is one time I welcome the intrusion of council.)

For everyone that thinks that a smoking ban in Norfolk and Virginia Beach is a bad idea, I have a suggestion. Get a calander, its 2007 not 1963. Smokers rights do not override non-smokers rights.

Saying that smokers have the right to be in restaurants and bars is just plain ignornace. Nobody has the right to harm others. Smoking harms others; plain and simple. There are plenty of responsible social drinkers that would enjoy a smoke free bar and plenty of diners that would enjoy a smoke free restaurant. If smokers just harmed themselves, then so be it, but they do not. They harm those around them.

I also believe the ban needs to be regional, so that smokers do not have the choice of changing cities to patron a smoking bar.

I recently visited Santa Monica. In CA, smoking is banned everywhere outside. It sure was nice. Smokers in the bar were sneaking into the alley to light up. If they got caught, they would get fined.