Governor Kaine Celebrates Restaurant Smoking Ban

Smoking ban now in effect.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine celebrated today’s enactment of Virginia’s historic restaurant smoking ban during public events at smoke-free restaurants throughout the Commonwealth. Beginning today, the new law will offer unprecedented protections from secondhand smoke to both patrons and employees by eliminating smoking in nearly all Virginia restaurants, with very narrow exceptions. Governor Kaine also encouraged Virginians to visit their favorite restaurants to thank them and enjoy the smoke-free atmosphere.

“This monumental public health measure came about with bipartisan support from the General Assembly and with the support of the people of Virginia, the vast majority of whom want to enjoy dining out in a smoke-free environment,” Governor Kaine said. “We applaud these restaurants for recognizing that they can help enhance the high quality of life Virginians enjoy by protecting restaurant patrons and employees from the serious health risks of secondhand smoke.”

This critical public health measure was the culmination of several years of work by Governor Kaine to win passage of a restaurant smoking ban, which is one of the strongest bans among tobacco-producing states. By enacting a ban on smoking in the Commonwealth’s bars and restaurants, Virginia — one of the nation’s biggest tobacco-producing states — joins 27 other states and the District of Columbia which have already passed similar legislation. Virginia’s law permits narrow exceptions for private clubs or restaurants with designated smoking rooms that are structurally separate and separately vented from non-smoking dining rooms.

Secondhand smoke is responsible for as many as 1,040 adult deaths per year in Virginia, according to the health department. In addition, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids estimates the Commonwealth spends $105.3 million a year on health care related to exposure to second hand smoke.

Community leaders, public health advocates and customers gathered with Governor Kaine today at Hamilton’s in Charlottesville, Chadwick’s in Alexandria and Home Team Grill in Richmond to thank and support the restaurant owners who voluntarily went smoke-free prior to the new law.

The Governor was accompanied during today’s visits by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn Tavenner. “Smoke-free dining protects public health, makes good business sense, improves our quality of life and will help all Virginians to breathe easy,” she said.

Since the legislation passed earlier this year, the Virginia Department of Health has worked with health care organizations, members of the restaurant and hospitality industry, other state agencies and local governments to develop common sense, cost-effective policies and procedures to implement and enforce the ban. VDH has launched the “Breathe Easy, Va.” website to help patrons and business owners transition to smoke-free dining. The web site features a video by the Governor, answers frequently asked questions about the new law and offers “no smoking” signs and materials for restaurant owners to share with customers and staff.

During restaurant inspections, VDH will check to ensure that smoking paraphernalia such as ashtrays are removed and that required “no smoking” signs are displayed. The health department will also observe whether anyone in a smoke-free area is smoking and whether any designated smoking areas are in fact structurally separate from non-smoking dining rooms.

Research shows that smoking bans encourage smokers to quit. VDH has bolstered its Quit Now Virginia hotline to serve more than 3,500 smokers a year. Those who want help quitting can call toll-free (800) QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) to be connected to information and assistance in English and in Spanish. The cessation hotline provides counseling and quit kits to those ready to take the step to a healthier lifestyle.