Uphill battle expected in upcoming House discussion
By ELLIOTT WALKER and BLAIR MCCARTNEY
Local smokers may soon have to light up at home if a proposed statewide smoking ban clears the House of Delegates.
The Virginia Senate passed a bill Monday that would ban smoking in restaurants and many other public indoor facilities.
The bill will now be sent to the House, where a similar bill died in subcommittee last year after also being passed in the Senate.
Sen. Brandon Bell, who drafted the bill, intends it to help protect Virginians from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
But Sen. Martin Williams told his colleagues he was concerned for the right of business owners to offer smoking in their establishments to attract customers. He said some restaurateurs have spent millions to separate smoking and nonsmoking sections.
The House has legislation that would require restaurants that offer smoking to post a sign saying so. That would remove the requirement that restaurants offer a nonsmoking section.
Virginia is the nation’s fourth-leading tobacco-growing state. And Phillip-Morris USA, the nation’s top cigarette maker, is based in Richmond.
Nineteen states already have laws that prohibit smoking in restaurants. Fifteen of those ban smoking in workplaces as well.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd