I knew the good news would end eventually. The Virginia senate has reached a compromise on the smoking ban:
The measure would ban smoking in all restaurants and bars with the exception of eateries that build enclosed areas with separate ventilation systems for smokers, Kaine said at a new conference announcing the agreement this morning. Also exempt would be private clubs.
Could be worse, but requiring totally separate rooms and violations is going to be prohibitively expensive for most restaurants. I’m pretty sure it will rule out EatBar, my favorite bar in Arlington, and have no doubt at all that it will be extremely hard on bars in more southern parts of the state (”real Virginia,” as Sarah Palin would say).
Note that fines are just $25, so some restaurants may turn a blind eye.
Update: Chad makes a good point in the comments:
I would expect few businesses to endure more than a modest expense to meet the requirements to allow smoking, given that in a year or two they’re just going to tighten the rule even further.
Previously:
Liberty Tavern no so keen on liberty
Please do smoke, if you like
Jacob Grier is a freelance writer, barista, mixologist, and magician in Portland, OR. He writes, eats, and drinks a lot. His articles have appeared in The Washington Post, Reason Online, The Oregonian, and other publications.
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Couldn’t restaurants that want to allow smoking do what bars do here in NC and turn into “clubs” with a five-dollar “membership surcharge” added to the check?
I hope so, but I don’t know how strict the requirement will be. I’d guess they wouldn’t make it that easy.
I would expect few businesses to endure more than a modest expense to meet the requirements to allow smoking, given that in a year or two they’re just going to tighten the rule even further.
We’ve seen this pattern before. I believe it happened to the Cherokee.