The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine visited the smoke-free Panera Bread cafe in Ghent Thursday morning to kick off a 54-day countdown to the start of Virginia's ban on smoking in restaurants.
About 70 percent of restaurants statewide already have banned smoking on their own, before the state's prohibition goes into effect Dec. 1, Kaine said, citing state Department of Health data. That's up from 63 percent with smoke-free policies two years ago, said Karen Remley, the state's health commissioner, who accompanied Kaine.
The governor signed the legislation seven months ago - a ground breaking step in a state that depended on its tobacco industry for decades and had failed several times to pass smoking bans. The governor said he planned to stop at other eateries in Richmond, Roanoke and Burke to launch the countdown.
"We're highlighting restaurants that have already gone smoke-free, that have already seen the wisdom," Kaine said.
Rajput, the Indian restaurant across 21st Street from Panera, has prohibited smoking since it opened in 2003. Customers generally applaud the measure and none have complained, owner Paul Chhabra said.
A single lit cigarette can taint the quality of the food, as well as the health of customers and employees, he said. "Just one person is like the whole restaurant smoking."
Virginia's ban covers most restaurants and bars but not private clubs. It allows restaurants to continue to permit smoking on outdoor patios and in areas that are separated and independently vented from the other dining rooms.
The General Assembly included the nine-month delay to give restaurant owners a chance to decide whether they wanted to add and could afford separate smoking areas, Kaine said after his presentation at Panera. "I wanted it right away."
He said he embarked on the countdown to support restaurants that had gone forward with a smoking ban before being forced.
Kaine said he also hoped to encourage smokers who want to quit to call a state hotline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, to get information about local programs that can help them.
Carolyn Shapiro, (757) 446-2270, carolyn.shapiro@pilotonline.com
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"Virginia's ban covers
"Virginia's ban covers -most- restaurants and bars but not private clubs."
Can anyone explain that to me a little clearer? Why does it cover "most"? What are the exceptions?
I'm for the ban by the way. I hate smelling and tasting smoke while I'm trying to enjoy a meal. I do believe that bars should have the option of being smoking/non-smoking though. As a former smoker myself, it would kill me to not be able to relax with a cig while enjoying a cold beer on a night out with friends. That's just my humble opinion.
that's the stupidity of it all
No one can explain it, not even the governor.
Also
How does this affect hookah bars?
What matters
I’m amazed people were not this up in arms over things that matter.
Where was this fervor when W. had an open checkbook, the loss of friends and family in Iraq and Afghanistan.Why are people OK with putting gas in their cars to drive to work when the money for gas goes to the Saudi’s and the money we spend goes to China.
SMOKERS ARE DYING BREED.....
and should be on endangered species list protected by state govt for the tax revenue from their addicts.
Gee Whiz, Jimmyf...
I commend your honesty in admitting that smoking shaves off about 10 years of your life expectancy, but you still seems to fail to acknowledge that your smoking also affects the lives and health of those who come in contact with your smoke. And even if you smoke only in your own home and car, I and other taxpayers will be footing your medical bills as you drag around oxygen to assist your corroded and weary lungs. There is no excuse for smoking. We all know it adversely affects your entire body. Many smokers are akin to other addicts when it comes to their almight fix. I was at a playground with 20 children when a man and woman lit up and blew the cancerous stench into the faces of the children. Smokers, either please get help to quit or smoke at home and keep your stench to yourself. I have asthma and your cigarettes bring on an attack which culminates in bronchitis. My guess is while a child may not exhibit these symptoms initially, the culmination of years of tobacco abuse will affect them in later years as it has done me. QUIT PLEASE!!
The Moral Obligation of Smokers
It's a fact that smokers die about 10 years sooner, so we collect less of the social security we paid into (that you non-smokers will be welcome to after we're gone) and that we will probably require less medical care since the years we are trading are the rotten ones at the end where the most accomplished complainers spend their golden years.
So we're also paying the SCHIP tax, the State Child's Health Insurance Premium, which is providing health insurance for poor, underprivileged children spawned from numerous "baby-mama's" and various sires, so it's safe to say that if all you non-smokers got your wish and cigarettes were no longer available, who do you think will be saddled with the cost of this government handout? It's a fact that the numbers of smokers is on the decline and that means fewer taxes coming in-since government never does with less, I would suggest you keep your hands over your wallets because you ARE next in line-whatever you pleasure, whatever your vice, whatever you enjoy, you WILL pay higher taxes to support Obama's socialist dream-state.
Depend on it.
I sure will be glad when
I sure will be glad when McDonnell takes over. Kaine and the socialist democrats have been a complete disaster for Virginia.
Get ready for????
I have to say, I used to live in VA but I got lucky and found a gig in South America. I smoke as do many folks down here, but the difference is that smokers here police themselves. Although there are no restrictions against smoking anywhere here, it is uncommon to see somebody light up in hospitals, airports, banks, grocery stores, etc... even though all of these places provide ashtrays. What is even better is that in restaurants people will not smoke inside if it looks like the smoke may bother the non smoking guests. If you don't sit outside to dine, then you simply get up and go outside to smoke when the urge hits you. No need for government to tell us how to do it.
May he hit every pothole and sit in tunnel traffic going home.
I hope he hits every pothole on the way home and sits in tunnel traffic. Oh, I forgot he probably has the state plane or helicopter.