Tuesday, December 1 marked the end of smoking in restaurants in Virginia. Governor Tim Kaine has been seen taking his victory laps. The past president of the Medical Society of VA has stated that 1700 people a year die from second hand smoke.
Is this simply a huge political move? If the past president was so concerned about what kills people in bars and restaurants (technically there are no bars in Virginia) he should start with the booze. Surely that drinking and drinking and driving kill more Virginians in a year than 1700. I never believed the second hand people anyway.
No one can justify smoking. However, is that the principle issue here? It would seem to me that the restaurant owner should be the one who determines if a smoking is allowed or not. Those customers who do not want to be around it would simply go to restaurants that are smoke free. Capitalism at its best.
For right now, expect to see the huddled masses outside the doors of establishments, taking a few puffs. Drinking and smoking go hand in hand. The only way around this one is for a smoking section to have its own separate ventilation system and to be pretty much closed off to the food area. Wise owners will make the retrofit if they haven’t already.
The anti smoking crew is much like the anti gun crew. Strident and ever so right, if only in their own minds.
Enjoying smoke-free air with an occasional beer should be my right, too. If you can construct a nice smoke-containing bubble around yourself, I’d step up the bar and sit right next to you. But since your right to smoke will always interfere with my right to smoke-free air in that restaurant, sorry, I think Virginia is doing the right thing.
Matt, I know several people that are occasional smokers and that’s a rare breed. I sure wish I had the strength and will-power to smoke a cigarette once a month. I guess you’ll have to step outside to have that cigarette with the other smokers. Remember, we have lawmakers that don’t think a woman can make choices concern THEIR bodies.
MH-You are like my mom. I’ve never seen two “reformed smokers” such as yourselves. My mom has been known to walk over to my house just to smell a fresh lit cigarette. My mom had quit smoking a couple of times, but the third time was final time when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, heaven forbid she were told she were terminally ill, because she’d be flying up Lomond Dr to 7-11 at 100mph to get those smokes. Smoking is a serious addition and a very hard habit to break. I come from a family of smokers and all but two quit smoking when they no longer had the mental capicity to smoke and not burn something. Some of the women in my family continued to smoke past the age of 100, and a couple over 105.
My husband and I quit going to establishments that didn’t allow smoking years ago. We will be going out even less now, if ever. I will order food and bring it home or better yet save that money and cook a nice dinner at home.
Very few regular smokers are not addicted. Matt, very few people smoke like you smoke.
I think the bar vs restaurant thing is part of the problem. Because VA law says all establishments serving booze must have 50% revenue from food sale, you mix a bar scene with restaurant dining. There are some establishments that are clearly restaurants with a small bar (or no bar) and some that are bars.
I don’t know why Emma thinks her rights are more important than Matt’s. If a bar wants to be a smoking bar, then I still feel it is up to the owner. Those who choose to frequent it should be able to do so. Those who don’t, their choice. By the same token, if an owner wants a non-smoking bar, then that too should be up to the owner.
I view my rights a little differently. I think I have the right to go or not go to an estalishment. I can’t set the rules once I am there if I don’t own it.
@Emma
Again, I don’t like bars that blast loud music. Indeed, constant exposure to loud music is terrible for one’s hearing.
What do I do about it? Go somewhere else.
Moot point, isn’t it?
For the smokers out there- Back Yard Grill, (formerly Damons) City Tavern and Mackies in Old Town have smoking.
anon-100, I got the same report about City Tavern. Apparently they are closing off the glass area out back that opens on the patio. My son said it was like swimming through the smoke. I asked why they didn’t open the back patio doors. He said it was cold.
Where is there smoking at Backyard Grill? Mackies is old old Brady’s/Heroes/jakes?
anon-100, I’d heard Mackie’s would still have smoking. Thanks for the info on City Tavern and Backyard Grill. However, I don’t like the meal tax in the City of Manassas if we wanted to eat out. I think I’ll just stay home.
Moderation? Are you kidding me?