Smokers take their last legal puffs in Va. restaurants – The Post
Smoking in bars and restaurants is banned in the commonwealth of Virginia unless separate rooms with separate ventilation systems are available. Smoking is permitted outdoors on patios which could become a problem for non-smokers who like to dine al fresco though. That is probably a short-term problem.
While I think the marketplace would have almost completely eliminated smoking in bars and restaurants within five years, I admit I won’t miss it.
I did not think the ban would happen so soon in Virginia, I figured that the tobacco heritage (the story mentions commercial tobacco was first planted in Virginia in 1612 and it was the #1 cash crop until 2004) would keep it around longer. Apparently, North Carolina is going to have a ban too.
Williams: Tougher restaurant smoking ban needed – Times-Dispatch
A Richmond (home of Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds) columnist does not think the ban goes far enough.
PREVIOUSLY
Smoking ban coming to Va. Really? – February 25, 2009
