A proposed bill that would ban smoking in most public places in Virginia is progressing through the General Assembly, causing VCU students to ponder the possibility of smoke-free bars and night clubs.
The Virginia Smoke Free Air Act is sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington. Whipple said the estimated 1,000 Virginians who die each year from inhaling secondhand smoke were the motivation behind the bill.
“In my view, it’s really outrageous that people are sickened and die because of another person’s choice, not their own choice,” Whipple said. “It’s a very big health problem.”
Regardless of whether they smoke, students would be affected by the bill because of its broad implications on restaurants, nightclubs and bars.
Beth Noe, a VCU alumna and non-smoker, said she liked the idea of the ban because she hates going to bars and having to breathe cigarette smoke. After working in a restaurant that allowed smoking and then forbade it, Noe said the ban would not hurt businesses in the area.
“I think chain smoking will be cut down a lot,” Noe said. “But I think its something that (smokers) can put up with.”
The Virginia Smoke Free Air Act would restrict smoking “in any indoor enclosed area to which the general public is invited or in which the general public is permitted.”
VCU alum Long Phung, a Richmond DJ who goes by the stage name Long Jawns, said he was concerned about the possible ban on smoking because of the direct effect on his performances.
“Not every DJ smokes,” said Phung, a smoker. “But the ones that do, smoke a lot while they (DJ), so (the ban) would make it tougher.”
The regulations would not apply to private homes, private
vehicles, home-based businesses, private clubs (as long as they are being used by members or invited guests), designated smoking rooms in hotels and motels, specialty tobacco stores, tobacco manufacturers and private or semiprivate rooms in nursing homes.
Whipple’s bill is the most comprehensive of the numerous bills attempting to limit or ban smoking that were introduced in the Senate this session.
In a subcommittee meeting and public hearing, opponents of the proposed legislation said it would threaten businesses during an already unstable economy, and place too much government control over private business.
Thomas Lisk, a representative for the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, questioned the real reasons behind the legislation.
“I challenge you to pass a total smoking ban, with no exemptions,” Lisk told the subcommittee members. “Otherwise, we see what this is really about.”
Alan Nicholas, a sociology major and ex-smoker, said the argument that banning smoking will hurt businesses was not valid because many people avoid smoky bars and restaurants all together.
“I respect the fact that tobacco is a huge of Virginia’s history, but it’s past that point. It’s just so unhealthy,” Nicholas said. “It seems like there would be less influence (for students to smoke) if they’re not sitting around with a bunch of smokers at their table.”
Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, has similar legislation that would ban smoking in restaurants. He said Whipple’s bill was too controversial to pass in the more conservative House of Delegates.
“Politics is the art of the possible,” Stolle said. “I don’t feel comfortable that (the other bills) are going to pass this year.”
There are eight more bills pertaining to smoking bans awaiting action in committees in the House of Delegates.
What do you think?
Should Virginia go smoke free? Send your opinions to Sarah Sonies, the CT Opinion Editor, at opinion@commonwealthtimes.com.