General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Smoking Ban in VA restaurants Rss Feed  
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2009-01-15 6:12 PM

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

The Virginia General Assembly will soon be in session and will consider a ban on smoking in restaurants.  Here's a link to public announcement by Gov Kaine on the issue: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/mediarelations/newsreleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=845

I'm very interested in this legislation, so I contacted my representative and my state senator and asked for information on their position.  You can find out who your representative is and send an email through this site:  http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform

I thought you might be interested in the response from Tom Rust, my delegate:

Mr. Castro,

First I want to thank you for taking the time to write me on this issue.  I
want to let you know that I do support a smoking ban in restaurants.
However, the bill has to be carefully drafted so that it does not impact
private clubs, restaurants for members only, or organizations such as the
Lions, the American legion, etc. which may serve in a private setting.
Personally, my office building is smoke free and it is now a much healthier
and more pleasant work environment.  The bill will be discussed in
committee and all committees are open to the public, there is public
testimony, and votes are taken in public and recorded.  Thank you for your
input, and I hope we successful this year in banning smoking in public
restaurants.?

My Best,

Thomas Davis Rust
Member
of the House of Delegates

However you think this should go, I suggest contacting your delegate.

Ernie



2009-01-15 9:02 PM
in reply to: #1910763

Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
Thanks for the info, Ernie! I would love to see a smoking ban in VA bars and restaurants. So disgusting. If you want to kill yourself, fine, but I don't want to be harmed by your second-hand-smoke.
2009-01-15 9:35 PM
in reply to: #1910763

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Pro
4481
20002000100100100100252525
Reston
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
I'd love to see it happen but I'm not holding my breath.
2009-01-16 11:30 AM
in reply to: #1910763

New user
9

Powhatan, VA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

While I would like to see restaurants go non-smoking, I do not support the legislature making it mandatory.  As a small business owner (non-restaurant), I should be able to determine what my business does and does not do regarding legal activity.  Smoking cigarettes is legal.  If a restaurant wants to allow their patrons to smoke, that should be my choice.

 Your choice, as a patron/customer, is whether or not you want to be exposed to the smoke by those customers who are smoking in the restaurant.

 How would you feel if the legislature decided to prevent the sale of swimming caps because small children could get a hold of it and suffocate, or prevent riding bicycles on all roads because too many people are being hit by cars, thus affecting both bicycle rider and car driver.

 Now with all of that said, if this law would pass, I would rejoice it because I am a non-smoker and I do not enjoy going to places that allow smoking.  However, in order to make sure I do not inhale secondhand smoke, I do not go to those restaurants that allow smoking.  My choice, not the govts.

 Just my two cents.

 

2009-01-16 12:05 PM
in reply to: #1911115

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Champion
14571
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the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

3558 - 2009-01-15 10:35 PM I'd love to see it happen but I'm not holding my breath.

haha

X2

this is what, the 3rd time in 3 years they've tried to do this??  va is tobacco country, it will never work.



Edited by meherczeg 2009-01-16 12:06 PM
2009-01-16 12:20 PM
in reply to: #1910763

Veteran
738
50010010025
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

It would work...however, I just commerce where there is no smoking and reward them for making that decision on their own.  I am a small business owner as well, and I have enough hoops to jump through already and would like to have less government in my face.  What they really need to do is make the smoking area outside businesses, hospitals, etc., further from the entrance so that I do not have to venture through the smokers to get to my destination. 

Alan



2009-01-16 12:22 PM
in reply to: #1912235

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Master
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Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
Zman1001 - 2009-01-16 12:30 PM

While I would like to see restaurants go non-smoking, I do not support the legislature making it mandatory.  As a small business owner (non-restaurant), I should be able to determine what my business does and does not do regarding legal activity.  Smoking cigarettes is legal.  If a restaurant wants to allow their patrons to smoke, that should be my choice.

 Your choice, as a patron/customer, is whether or not you want to be exposed to the smoke by those customers who are smoking in the restaurant.

 How would you feel if the legislature decided to prevent the sale of swimming caps because small children could get a hold of it and suffocate, or prevent riding bicycles on all roads because too many people are being hit by cars, thus affecting both bicycle rider and car driver.

 Now with all of that said, if this law would pass, I would rejoice it because I am a non-smoker and I do not enjoy going to places that allow smoking.  However, in order to make sure I do not inhale secondhand smoke, I do not go to those restaurants that allow smoking.  My choice, not the govts.

 Just my two cents.

Agreed with the opinion about businesses making a business decision.. I share that position.. it becomes a sticky subject when it comes to employment law and created a workplace environment where individuals are exposed to the pollutants..  sometimes the response is "find another job" .. unfortunately that doesn't cut it in employment law, tell that to the wheelchair bound accountant that has to take the stairs to get to their office and see the response

2009-01-16 1:00 PM
in reply to: #1912349

Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
meherczeg - 2009-01-16 1:05 PM

3558 - 2009-01-15 10:35 PM I'd love to see it happen but I'm not holding my breath.

haha

X2

this is what, the 3rd time in 3 years they've tried to do this??  va is tobacco country, it will never work.

I don't care about the rest of the state. Just the counties near DC are fine with me Massachusetts did it that way. I bet they could get it passed in Arlington/Fairfax/Loudoun Counties.

2009-01-16 3:52 PM
in reply to: #1910763

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

I wasn't looking to start a debate on the merits of the bill.  Although I knew that would happen, I think political and religous discussions on the internet are a waste of time.  I was more looking to educate and provide an avenue for people to express their opinions in a way that will carry more weight.

Tonight I'm writing a letter/email to try and get a ban on buckets in transition. 

Ernie

2009-01-16 4:24 PM
in reply to: #1912960

Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
ejc999 - 2009-01-16 4:52 PM

I wasn't looking to start a debate on the merits of the bill.  Although I knew that would happen, I think political and religous discussions on the internet are a waste of time.  I was more looking to educate and provide an avenue for people to express their opinions in a way that will carry more weight.

Tonight I'm writing a letter/email to try and get a ban on buckets in transition. 

Ernie

Nice!! I'd be up for helping pass that legislation

2009-01-17 11:12 AM
in reply to: #1912527

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Member
150
1002525
NoVA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

 I bet they could get it passed in Arlington/Fairfax/Loudoun Counties.

 

I live in Loudoun and most restaurants here are already voluntarily doing it, thankfully.



2009-01-17 1:00 PM
in reply to: #1912960

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Champion
6503
50001000500
NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
ejc999 - 2009-01-16 3:52 PM

Tonight I'm writing a letter/email to try and get a ban on buckets in transition. 

Ernie

What about buckets at aid stations (different purpose)?

2009-01-17 1:13 PM
in reply to: #1913884

Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
pga_mike - 2009-01-17 2:00 PM
ejc999 - 2009-01-16 3:52 PM

Tonight I'm writing a letter/email to try and get a ban on buckets in transition. 

Ernie

What about buckets at aid stations (different purpose)?

It's an old joke...

2009-01-18 2:20 PM
in reply to: #1910763

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Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
I'd like to see it happen, but I'm not sure it will.  There are some non-smoking restaurants in Richmond and we usually go to those instead of the ones that allow smoking.  There are even two clubs here that are non-smoking.  Those rock.
2009-01-20 1:53 PM
in reply to: #1912400

New user
9

Powhatan, VA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

Would the pollutant employment law then also apply to chemical plants, manufacturing plants, coroners officers, etc.  Good point though.  When you get into employment law, it is always a tricky situation, but in the end, it is always the workers choice to work in that environment (with pollutants).  With regard to handicapped, that falls under discrimination law, not employment law.

An easy solution for all is to support those establishments that already have voluntarily gone to non-smoking (like Carabbas in Midlothian, or PF Chang's in Stony Point and all of the others that I do not know) or the two clubs in Richmond mentioned in another thread, instead of going to other places where smoke is allowed like Capital Ale House or other places.

 And to original poster, thank you for the information.  It was very imformative and provided us with the information necessary to take the necessary steps that fit our beliefs.

Z  

2009-01-22 10:27 AM
in reply to: #1910763

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Master
1996
1000500100100100100252525
Woodbridge , Virginia
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
I hope the ban goes through.. smoking bans are international as well.. i enjoyed going out and not smelling a like an ashtray when i went back to my room..

i almost threw away the clothes i wore on new years because they smelled so bad...

come on smoking ban....


2009-02-06 1:52 PM
in reply to: #1910763

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

I received the following from my delegate, Tom Rust today:

"Yesterday, the Speaker of the House announced that a compromise was struck with the Democrats in the House, the Senate, and the Governor to prohibit smoking in restaurants with certain key exceptions.  The exceptions include restaurants with a designated smoking room that is physically separated and independently ventilated from non-smoking dining areas, any permanent outdoor patio area of a restaurant, any portion of a restaurant that is used exclusively for private functions, any private club as well as street-side "hotdog" stands and other mobile points of food service.  I am very pleased that the Speaker of the House reached out to the Governor to facilitate this compromise.  Many constituents have contacted me over the years about these bills, and I have always supported efforts that move Virginia to being a more smoke-free state.  I look forward to voting in favor of this bill."

I didn't think even this would pass this year but it looks good as it's already passed in the Senate.

Ernie

2009-02-12 2:29 PM
in reply to: #1912235

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Expert
1053
10002525
Culpeper, VA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
Zman1001 - 2009-01-16 12:30 PM

While I would like to see restaurants go non-smoking, I do not support the legislature making it mandatory.  As a small business owner (non-restaurant), I should be able to determine what my business does and does not do regarding legal activity.  Smoking cigarettes is legal.  If a restaurant wants to allow their patrons to smoke, that should be my choice.

 Your choice, as a patron/customer, is whether or not you want to be exposed to the smoke by those customers who are smoking in the restaurant.

 How would you feel if the legislature decided to prevent the sale of swimming caps because small children could get a hold of it and suffocate, or prevent riding bicycles on all roads because too many people are being hit by cars, thus affecting both bicycle rider and car driver.

 Now with all of that said, if this law would pass, I would rejoice it because I am a non-smoker and I do not enjoy going to places that allow smoking.  However, in order to make sure I do not inhale secondhand smoke, I do not go to those restaurants that allow smoking.  My choice, not the govts.

 Just my two cents.

 

I agree with this 100% and do not support this sort of legislation.    

2009-02-13 9:05 AM
in reply to: #1918481

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Science Nerd
28760
50005000500050005000200010005001001002525
Redwood City, California
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
Zman1001 - 2009-01-20 2:53 PM

An easy solution for all is to support those establishments that already have voluntarily gone to non-smoking (like Carabbas in Midlothian, or PF Chang's in Stony Point and all of the others that I do not know) or the two clubs in Richmond mentioned in another thread, instead of going to other places where smoke is allowed like Capital Ale House or other places.

Toad's Place and the National are the two clubs in Richmond.

I think all of the restaurants at the Short Pump mall are smoke free and almost all the ones at Stony Point are.

2009-02-17 9:46 AM
in reply to: #1910763

Veteran
738
50010010025
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
Ban rejected by state senate...or house...I'm not sure which...one supported and one opposed from what I heard.
2009-02-17 4:02 PM
in reply to: #1966097

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

crazyyella - 2009-02-17 10:46 AM Ban rejected by state senate...or house...I'm not sure which...one supported and one opposed from what I heard.

I checked the General Assembly's web page and saw no action today on the bill.  According to the Washington Post yesterday the compromise was still in effect.  Here's an excerpt from their article:

"When Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and Republican House Speaker William J. Howell announced that they had quietly brokered a compromise that would ban smoking in the state's bars and restaurants, anti-smoking advocates did not rejoice. They read the fine print.

  • They said vague language in the ban allowed restaurants to create separate ventilated rooms for smokers but didn't define the standards for such a room. And they said the fine for ignoring the ban was tiny -- $25 for a violation. The advocates realized, said Cathleen S. Grzesiek, director of government relations for the American Heart Association, that they were very far from their goal of banning smoking in all public indoor spaces. "

Here's an email I got from my state Senator

"Thank you for your email to Senator Herring regarding your concerns and
desire for a smoke free environment for all us here in Virginia.  This year
there were originally six bills introduced in the Senate which have
addressed banning smoking in some form here in the Commonwealth.

One bill was defeated and the others were eventually incorporated into SB
1105.  I can not speak for the Senator in regards to how he will vote on
any bill but I can tell you that he has voted in favor of all these bills
this year and has not changed his position on smoking during the three
years I have worked for him.  Perhaps the loss of his Aunt to lung cancer
has something to do with that position.

In restaurants he considers smoking unacceptable occupational hazards for
those who have to work smothered in second hand smoke.  I believe he will
give careful consideration to the House and Senate compromise bill that
will eventually have to be negotiated.  See the current status of both the
House Bill and the Senate Bill at these links:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+bil+HB1703 HOUSE BILL
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=091&typ=bil&val=sb1105
SENATE BILL

Again, thank you for writing and sharing your thoughts and concerns on this
very important issue for us and our children.  If there are any other
issues that the Senator can address for you please do not hesitate to
contact him."

Respectfully,

Norm Gottlieb
Legislative Assistant
Virginia Senator Mark Herring
Parts
of Loudoun and
   Fairfax Counties
Richmond 804 698-7533 (in session)
Leesburg 703 729-3300

Ernie

 



Edited by ejc999 2009-02-17 4:08 PM


2009-02-20 5:46 AM
in reply to: #1910763

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Expert
1205
1000100100
Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants
The smoking ban passed the VA Assembly yesterday.  Here's excerpted from the Post:

  Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 20, 2009; Page B01

 

RICHMOND, Feb. 19 -- The Virginia General Assembly gave final approval Thursday to a plan that prohibits smoking in most of the state's bars and restaurants, handing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine one of his first significant legislative victories.

 The article goes on to say that the ban will take effect on 1 Dec 09.

Ernie

 

2009-02-20 7:42 AM
in reply to: #1910763

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Smoking Ban in VA restaurants

Its about time! Too bad it doesn't start until December.

 

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