Virginia Restaurants Prepare for New Smoking Law

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Updated: 4:38 PM Dec 3, 2009 Virginia Restaurants Prepare for New Smoking Law RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Beginning Tuesday, restaurants will be allowed to have a smoking area only if they segregate smokers into rooms with separate ventilation systems. Posted: 10:56 AM Nov 30, 2009

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Restaurants all across Virginia are preparing for new smoking regulations.

Beginning Tuesday, restaurants will be allowed to have a smoking area only if they segregate smokers into rooms with separate ventilation systems.

The law also allows smoking on outdoor patios and in private membership clubs.

Violators face a $25 fine as do restaurant owners who don't enforce the restrictions.

The new rules represents a huge shift for a state whose tobacco habit dates to the Jamestown settlement some 400 years ago.

For most of its history, tobacco was Virginia's premier crop and economic staple.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Tracey Location: Elkton on Nov 30, 2009 at 06:36 PM

I think that "the smokers" have been very selfish with their views on smoking in public areas. The fellow that was interviewed actually said,"he thinks they should be able to smoke anywhere they want" In this case I say, "thank god for the GOVERNMENT, this time!" Smoking is such a nasty habit. Why should the public be exposed to the yellow smelly areas....not to mention the health aspect of it!

Posted by: Amy Location: Elkton on Nov 30, 2009 at 06:10 PM

This is my issue, taxes are always raised on the smokers, Due to "medical expenses" from smoking, but nobody raises all these taxes and bands drinking in all the resturants. WHAT ABOUT THE MEDICAL AND FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR THESE DRUNKEN DRIVERS, so I think its time as tax payer to give "us smokers" a break and deal a little more with the achocol abuse in our community.

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