Restaurants across Virginia are preparing for new smoking regulations.

Starting Tuesday, restaurants will be allowed to have smoking only if they segregate smokers into rooms with separate ventilation systems. The law also allows for smoking on outdoor patios and in private membership clubs.

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

The historic measure was a compromise between Gov. Tim Kaine (D) and Republican House Speaker Bill Howell. Del. Steve Landes (R-25th) was the only member of the Valley delegation to vote in favor of the smoking ban.

Benjamin Saunders of Harrisonburg has been smoking for more than 20 years.

"It's going to be some cold days, I guess, smoking outside," says Saunders.

Brent Randel has been smoking for about eight years. In just that time, he's watched the cost of his habit rise.

"I used to smoke about a pack, a pack and a half per day when I first started. But, I cut back [because] of how expensive it's gotten," says Randel.

In April, a 62-cent per-pack federal tax went into effect. The money goes to expand health insurance coverage for kids.

Virginia Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Remley says the restaurant ban is also aimed at improving health.

"A lot of new research that is now looking at smoking in restaurants and second-hand smoke, not only impacting lung cancer, which is what we normally think about, but heart disease," says Remley.

However, Randel says smokers have rights too.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with smoking. As long as you're 18, I think you should have the right to smoke anywhere," says Randel.

Saunders says he's alright with the new law. He may even try to quit smoking again because of it.

"I'm paying for an early death as it is already. And, having to pay over $5 for a pack of cigarettes and having to go outside to smoke, doesn't make sense at all," says Saunders.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate cigarette smoking costs the American economy $193 billion per year, including health costs and lost time from work.

As for the new law, violators face a $25 fine, as do restaurant owners who don't enforce the restrictions.