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Smoking Ban: Light Up and Pay Up
Health Department officials have a lot of work ahead of them, but they can get help from local police departments.
Starting Tuesday, businesses must have no smoking signs posted and be completely smoke-free, unless they have a separate ventilated room. Those that don't will face fines.
For customers visiting businesses like the Cavalier, the air is definitely different now.
"And so now we'll probably frequent much more frequently, because the food is great now that the smoke is gone," non-smoker customer at the Cavalier David Almond said.
Now that the new law is in place, the Virginia Health Department will be looking to see if businesses are up to code.
Health officials say they'll be concentrating on places that went completely smoke free during the next round of inspections.
And if they do find a violation Steve Simpson Virginia Department of Health said, ”First thing we're going to do is ask to speak to the manager or the owner and review their responsibilities under the law and do an educational program."
If the business does not come up to code, the restaurant owners and their customers could face fines.
"Each smoking violation offensive is punishable by $25 fine, so an officer of the law can offer that citation. It's like a ticket and then the violator will go to court," Simpson said.
Small businesses like the Local Pub on 12th Street say it's a chance they can't take.
"Well you figure if you've got 20 people in here smoking and then that adds up $25 per 20 people. That is quite a bit of money you have to pay each time," Austin King, manager of the Local Pub said.
While the air is smoke free, employees say the new law has cleared out business, but with a few changes they are hopeful their regulars will come back.
The Local Pub on 12th Street is building a non-smoking room they hope to have finished by the end of this week.
You can report any violations to your local health department.
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Latest Comments on "Smoking Ban: Light Up and Pay Up"
posted by: yankeegirl on 9:46 am on 12/02/09
KnowledgableDad wrote:
Hey,i have finally figured it out.It's all about money.From insurance companies right down to the police department's.Before you know it,there will be undercover officials trying to nab people.Before you know it,there will be an added workforce at both the police departments and the health departments.I am requesting that all fat people be barred from entering a resturant of any kind.I am requesting that fat people be barred from buying fatty,unhealthy foods with there welfare cards.Yes i have a say in this,by fat people doing as i mentioned,it causes my insurance premiums to keep rising.Oh,and one more request.I request that everybody should be barred from eating in resturrants of any kind because of the increase chances of getting sick from being around a large crowd of people.Yep,that also causes my insurance premiums to rise.Good thing i'm not Governor.I would tax the heck out of resturants of all kinds.
Hey,i have finally figured it out.It's all about money.From insurance companies right down to the police department's.Before you know it,there will be undercover officials trying to nab people.Before you know it,there will be an added workforce at both the police departments and the health departments.I am requesting that all fat people be barred from entering a resturant of any kind.I am requesting that fat people be barred from buying fatty,unhealthy foods with there welfare cards.Yes i have a say in this,by fat people doing as i mentioned,it causes my insurance premiums to keep rising.Oh,and one more request.I request that everybody should be barred from eating in resturrants of any kind because of the increase chances of getting sick from being around a large crowd of people.Yep,that also causes my insurance premiums to rise.Good thing i'm not Governor.I would tax the heck out of resturants of all kinds.
It absolutely is about money. Just like the seat belt LAW!! Bogus!!!! How many more laws will the Gov. pull out of the air???
I don't smoke and never have but like I have said before smoking should be allowed in BARS!!! My husband smokes but he will not smoke in the house or car with us or if we are out at a restaurant. It is common courtesy not to smoke where people are eating and when children are present!!
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