On the heels of Alexandria's move to ban smoking in all its restaurants, which will surely be challenged in court, Tim Kaine is going to revive efforts for a state-wide ban:Legislation banning smoking in Virginia restaurants will likely come back in the next legislative session, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said on WTOP's Ask the Governor program Tuesday.Kaine is right -- the momentum is building given that Virginia's state Senate actually approved the smoking ban last session. While the House of Delegates killed the bill, having one house of the Commonwealth's legislature pass the ban is a big leap forward. And more and more urban centers will follow Alexandria's lead in finding ways around the Dillon Rule to pass their own local bans, as the jurisdictions around Virginia push forward their own successful ban. This issue is not going away -- and it's gaining traction."I think the momentum on this is very strong," says Kaine.
"I suspect this is an issue that we will be bringing back when we get into the session in January."
Kaine says he's in discussions with state Health Commissioner Dr. Robert B. Stroube, lawmakers and other stakeholders.
Also, since D.C. already has a ban and Maryland's ban is imminent, the "restaurant patrons will flee to other states" argument is growing dimmer and dimmer. Especially given the growing evidence that businesses were not hurt by such bans in other states and localities.
Second-hand smoke is a public health issue. The freedom to puff cancer sticks should not extend to enclosed public places where innocent bystanders will also breath in the toxins. So, smoke-free Virginia should happen sooner rather than later. But will Virginia Republicans stand in the way of public safety to support the cause of Virginia's big tobacco industry? Again?