Smoking Curbed in the Home State of the Marlboro Man

[Guest MonkeySee]

RICHMOND, Va. – In a sign of how vilified smoking has become, lawmakers in Virginia — where the world's largest cigarette factory churns out Marlboros — passed curbs on smoking in restaurants.

 

Monday's 59-39 vote in the House of Delegates approved a watered-down bill that allows smoking only in private clubs, outdoor cafes, designated smoking rooms and establishments that are off-limits to minors.

 

And the proposed penalties are hardly draconian: a maximum civil fine of $25 for smokers or restaurateurs who defy the law.

 

The bill already exempted private clubs and outdoor patios. On Monday, it was further diluted by Republican amendments that would allow smoking in any establishment off-limits to minors and in any restaurant rented for a private, invitation-only event.

 

The Republican amendments now send the bill back to the Democrat-dominated Senate, where it faces a dubious fate.

 

Still, the measure is a step beyond anything yet contemplated in Virginia. Year after year, more ambitious smoking bans have failed miserably before a legislature that meets in a Capitol where frescoes of golden tobacco leaves adorn the rotunda's ceiling.

 

Tobacco has been a mainstay since Virginia was founded at Jamestown 400 years ago and at one time was regarded as currency. As a mostly agricultural society though the midpoint of the 20th century, tobacco plantations underpinned the state's economy.

 

The original bill was a compromise between Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Republican leaders of the House of Delegates, who have steadfastly resisted any curbs on tobacco.

 

Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey said the "amendments run counter to the agreement" Kaine made with House Speaker William J. Howell. Kaine's communications director, Lynda Tran, declined to comment on whether Kaine would veto the amended bill.

 

Kaine initially had sought a bill that would ban smoking outright to protect the health of restaurant workers.

 

And among other 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.

 

Even that version was unpalatable to many Republicans.

 

"Ask yourself, is this going to make it easier or harder for any of these mom-and-pops or any of these restaurants to continue to do business?" said Del. Bill Janis of Henrico, who denounced the bill as "tyranny" against free enterprise.

 

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have banned smoking in most public places, including bars and restaurants. Other states debating smoking bans this year include neighboring tobacco state North Carolina, along with Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming.

 

The Virginia measure managed to unite natural opponents of smoking bans — the muscular restaurant and tobacco industry lobbies — with the most ardent backers of a total ban, the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society, who say it doesn't go far enough.

 

Philip Morris, which makes Marlboros and Virginia Slims at the world's largest cigarette factory about seven miles south of the Capitol and is a major funder of state political campaigns, opposes the measure.

 

Restaurant industry lobbyist Tom Lisk noted that nearly 70 percent of the state's restaurants have already banned smoking, and that business improved because of it. He also said requiring restaurants to establish smoking-only cocoons with separate heating and cooling systems could put hundreds of small establishments out of business.

 

And public health advocates ridiculed the notion that the bill would protect restaurant workers when it still allows for restaurant sections where smoking is pervasive, which they would have to serve.

 

[Guest shebavon]

Shows how much the recent urbanization of Virginia and North Carolina has changed those states politics. Major influx of yankees from the north.

 

 

[Guest MonkeySee]

Shows how much the recent urbanization of Virginia and North Carolina has changed those states politics. Major influx of yankees from the north.

And a general shift against the rights of smokers.

 

[Guest slackersam]

The bullies in the anti-smoking crowd don't think we have rights.

 

I'm waiting until they propose a "registered smoker list" so people have the ability to keep their children away from smokers.

[Guest MonkeySee]

The bullies in the anti-smoking crowd don't think we have rights.

 

I'm waiting until they propose a "registered smoker list" so people have the ability to keep their children away from smokers.

Sounds like a great idea. But to add to the "registered smoker list" let's require a permit and fee. You know the government needs to be paid. We have to pay off the many trillion dollar debt, somehow.

[Guest slackersam]

Given that it costs roughly five cents to make a pack of cigs, I'm guessing we are already paying the government a hefty fee for them.

[Guest MonkeySee]

Given that it costs roughly five cents to make a pack of cigs, I'm guessing we are already paying the government a hefty fee for them.

Of course, the government is making a killing on both cigs and booze, but they can always use more money.

 

[KhorTose]

Of course, the government is making a killing on both cigs and booze, but they can always use more money.

 

Great legalize and tax Marijuana, and make billions a year. At the same time you would create unemployment in Mexico, Columbia, Panama, etc. by putting about 30,000 drug growers, and dealers in the third world out of business, and give a big boost to American farmers on marginal lands in the USA. Maybe use that money to provide health care for all Americans? Too practical right?

[Guest MonkeySee]

Great legalize and tax Marijuana, and make billions a year. At the same time you would create unemployment in Mexico, Columbia, Panama, etc. by putting about 30,000 drug growers, and dealers in the third world out of business, and give a big boost to American farmers on marginal lands in the USA. Maybe use that money to provide health care for all Americans? Too practical right?

Way too practical. The drug zcar and all his government cronies will fight it tooth and nail. Puls all the snitches would be out of a job. It will never happen.