The Virginia State Senate passed two bills Monday, one that would prohibit smoking in public areas and another that would increase the minimum wage.
Senate Bill 1161, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke, prohibits "smoking indoors in most buildings or enclosed areas frequented by the public," according to the bill.
Anyone who continues to smoke after having been asked to stop smoking may face a $250 fine. A second offense could lead to a civil penalty of no more than $500. Any further offense is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor, according to the legislation.
The bill goes on to specify that "any proprietor of any restaurant who fails to comply with the legislation will suffer a civil penalty of no more than $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for a second offense. Any following offense is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor."
The bill was approved by a vote of 23 to 16 with one abstention.
Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, R-Fairfax, said she voted in favor of the bill, citing the potential dangers of second-hand smoke.
"I don't think that anyone should have to breathe second-hand smoke," Davis said. "I think banning smoking in working environments is very, very important. Studies have shown that many of the carcinogens that are being breathed by smokers are being breathed by second-hand smokers."
The legislation may spark concern among affected industries with regard to its potential effects on business.
"Most franchise operators say they had seen [a smoking ban] impact their business in one way or another," Qdoba General Manager Jonathan Scott said.
Other managers are not concerned about the bill's passage.
"I don't think banning people from smoking indoors will stop them from coming out and drinking," said Jeremy Christian, manager of the Buddhist Biker Bar and Grill.
The Senate passed an additional piece of legislation yesterday as it voted to increasethe Commonwealth's minimum wage.
Sponsored by Sen. Charles Colgan, D-Manassas, Senate Bill 1327 will increase the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.50.
Colgan specified that the bill does not apply to farm laborers, movie theater ushers and waiters.
After unanimous passage in the Committee on Commerce and Labor, the bill was passed by the full Senate with a vote of 31 to eight and one abstention.
"We haven't increased the minimum wage in 11 years ... I just felt it was time," Colgan said.
Colgan introduced his bill last year but it failed to pass.
Both bills will now be reviewed and voted upon in the Virginia House of Delegates.
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