Home of Marlboro Man Passes Partial Smoking Ban. (WJLA) {Virginia}

[eppur_se_muova]

posted 02/19/09 11:27 pm

RICHMOND, Va. - Lawmakers in tobacco-friendly Virginia passed a limited ban on smoking in bars and restaurants Thursday, and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said he would sign it.

The measure restricts smoking to separately ventilated rooms in restaurants and private clubs in a state that has grown tobacco for 400 years.

The decisive 60-39 vote was in the House of Delegates, dominated by Republicans who have battled tobacco restrictions for years. The Senate earlier voted 27-13 for the bill.

"I think it will be signed quite promptly, in the quickest-drying ink I can find," said Kaine, the Democratic National Committee chairman, who privately negotiated the compromise with Republican House Speaker William J. Howell.

The measure passed the House and Senate without debate.
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more: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0209/596495.html




Violations bring a civil fine of $25 for each violation.

(Not exactly LBN, I know, but hadn't seen it posted.)