Virginia's House of Delegates today rejected a statewide smoking ban in bars and restaurants by a vote of 40-59. I'll post a link to the full roll call vote as soon as it's up.
As the Not Larry Sabato blog reported this week, a Survey USA poll had shown a full 65% of Virginians supported the ban -- and that number includes smokers. The demographic breakdown of who supports the ban:
- 20% of smokersWhile this is a defeat for the health of Virginians, even the vote itself is progress. Until recently, delegates were able to hide behind a subcommittee. But now those 59 delegates will have to go home and explain why they sided with the cigarette lobby over their constituents.
- 70% of Northern Virginians
- 83% of nonsmokers
9 comments:
that' too bad, but I guess you're right - even the fact that they are discussing this in Virginia is progress
See my blog for a different take from the standard pro and con arguments on this.
http://www.lacochran.blogspot.com
I thought we already established that there are no BARS in Virginia, since every establishment that sells alcohol must sell food as well. It's a percent ratio type of thing set up by the ABC. So, actually; bars don't exist.
To obtain a mixed beverage license, merchants must comply with ABC regulations. Becky Gettings, director of public affairs at Virginia ABC, said there are no official bars, just restaurants that serve beer, wine and mixed beverages. Every Virginia establishment with a liquor license must obey the "45 percent rule" – food and nonalcoholic beverages must account for at least 45 percent of total gross sales.
link
Jaime, I'm sure your argument would hold up great in a courtroom, but unfortunately, I haven't sued you. Yet. Johnnie Cochran is still figuring out how I can best apply the Chewbacca Defense. Until then, you are more than welcome to go down to Jay's in Clarendon and tell the regulars that they are not in a bar.
Since apparently now I have to explain what a bar is, it's a place where people go after work or on weekends to get loaded in close proximity to their peers. And there ain't none of those in Arlington that are smoke-free.
The Arlington Civic Federation maintains an excellent list of smoke-free restaurants -- but at none of them does everybody know your name. And they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where everybody knows your name.
Dude, I was just pointing out that you weren't aware of the law in Virginia regarding food ratio and alcohol in eating establishments. That's all.
A blow to the health of Virginians? Gimme a break. Virginia's motto is Sic Semper Tyrannus. I hope they stick to that and realize that the government should not be allowed to dictate to business owners what perfectly legal activities are allowed on their property. If you don't like smoke and are so concerned about your health, stay home and eat a healthy dinner instead of a fattening burger at Applebees. Or knit. Something. I have no problem with restaurants and bars saying NO SMOKING. I have a problem with a bunch of stupid old men in monkey suits telling Joe Blow down the street that he can no longer allow smoking inside a bar he owns and has invested his life into. Even though smoking is still perfectly legal out on the street corner. You should have a problem with it too. Damn socialists. Keep your nanny state government ideology in the District. I'm old enough to make my own decisions regarding my health.
Reading the last comment, all I could think was ... they took our jobs!
Or maybe they decided to side with FREEDOM
I just moved back to the area after living in San Diego, California for three years. I currently live in Arlington in temporary corporate housing and I am searching for a home to purchase. In deciding where to live (DC v. MD v. VA), one huge disadvantage to living in VA is smoking in bars and restaurants. How do we join together, make this a campaign issue for the Arlington County politicians and start voting the issue? I am willing to help set up an organization to collect money to fund TV and radio ads against politicians who do not support and actually vote for the ban.
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