Posted on April 2, 2007
Students may never walk into another smoky restaurant again.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine amended a bill last Monday that, if passed, would ban smoking from all Virginia restaurants.
This ban, which will be considered this Wednesday, is wider than lawmakers had intended, as the original bill would have allowed smoking in any restaurant provided that they post a sign near the entrance indicating that smoking was allowed in the facility.
“The bill that came through would have taken a backwards step,” said Kaine’s Deputy Press Secretary Maurice Henderson, adding that as it stands, every restaurant must include a non-smoking section. If the bill went through as passed, smoking would have been permitted anywhere with a sign, he said.
Health groups supported the broader ban on smoking. In Virginia, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association conducted a letter-writing campaign asking Kaine to prohibit smoking in all restaurants, according to the Washington Post.
According to director of community relations Terry Hargrove, the American Lung Association of Virginia urged citizens to contact government officials and ran radio ads asking Virginians to call their legislators in support of the amendment. The group even tried contacting the governor directly.
“We requested an amendment and asked the governor if he would extend the legislation to restaurants and bars,” she said. “The American Lung Association was thrilled when Gov. Kaine released his amendment.”
While the ALA was thrilled, some restaurant owners are upset by the amendment, feeling as though the change is an infringement on civic freedom.
“I’m a nonsmoker, but I don’t like seeing the government get involved in any kind of personal conduct of morality type issues,” said Chuck Troutman, general manager of The Pub. “I think it’s an infringement on civil liberties. They’ve pretty much run smoking out of about everything, but I think there’s a time and place that it is acceptable.”
Donna Finnigan, owner of Finnigan’s Cove, agreed.
“I know he’s doing it because employees have been around smoking, but as a general rule most people who are in [the] restaurant business are smokers or are familiar with it,” she said. “I think that having separate sections far enough apart is sufficient enough.”
However, just as Finnigan thinks restaurant employees are use to working in smoke-filled environments, many others said the ban would provide health benefits for both workers and consumers.
“I think it’s going to mean a big win for public health,” Hargrove said. “We will see dramatic and immediate decreases in respiratory infections in restaurant workers along with decrease in heart disease.”
Hargrove added that this type of legislation has been passed across the country. Out of the 22 states that have some sort of smoke-free legislation, 16 have banned smoking in all restaurants and bars.
Henderson also said that he thinks there will be great health benefits, adding that, “There’s no fighting with hard, scientific fact.”
But it’s not just those personally invested in public health that support the ban. Some restaurant owners approve the bill as well.
“My personal thought is that [the ban’s] a good thing,” said Scott Ruble, assistant general manager of Buffalo Wild Wings. “It will provide a more pleasant atmosphere.”
And it might not hurt businesses so much after all.
“It’s going to take some time for people to get used to it, but after a while they will, just like they did in New York and elsewhere,” Ruble said.
Troutman, although critical of the bill, agreed.
“You hear people saying that they don’t like to go to bars because it’s too smoky, but in reality it’s not going to change anyone’s lifestyle,” he said. “If you go to bars, you go, if you don’t, you don’t.”
While it might not affect business, many doubt that the bill can pass, given the tobacco industry’s rich history in Virginia.
“I think when you look at the history of Virginia it’s always been a tobacco state, and at times it has been what made the economy what it was,” said Troutman.
Despite the state’s history, similar bills are repeatedly put through legislation, making many wonder how long it will be until a smoking ban passes.
“It would surprise me if in the next five years the vote didn’t pass,” Finnigan said. “The votes keep getting closer and closer; it’s inevitable.”
