Gov. Tim Kaine proposed an amendment yesterday which would ban smoking in commonwealth restaurants. The original bill passed by the General Assembly allowed smoking in restaurants if a sign is posted in a "conspicuous place," according to the legislation.
Kaine's press secretary Kevin Hall said Kaine proposed this change to the bill because the initial form would undo existing restrictions that have been effective in the past.
"Existing state law requires non-smoking areas in any restaurants that seat 50 or more people," Hall said. "The bill the Assembly sent us would get rid of that. The governor thinks that that's a step backwards."
He said Kaine wants to change the bill in order to prohibit smoking in all restaurants.
"The governor suggested that we ban smoking in all restaurants period ... because there's no dispute that second-hand smoke kills people," he said.
He added that the amended bill would apply only to restaurants.
There are indications that the governor's amendment to the bill will cause some legislators to change their votes, according to Manny Puma, legislative aide for Del. Tom Gear, R-York County.
Del. Gear originally voted for the bill because it only required restaurants to notify patrons about whether or not the restaurant allowed smoking, Puma said. Puma added that Del. Gear will most likely not vote in favor of the amendment.
"The original bill was a very neutral bill," Puma said. "If there is a sign stating the policy then the public has a right to decide whether or not to frequent the restaurant."
Other legislators said they will also change their votes.
Del. David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, Toscano originally voted against the bill because he felt it was a "step backward" because it continued to allow smoking in restaurants.
Toscano said he approved of Kaine's amendment and would be voting for the bill.
"I can't predict if it will pass, but I hope people will vote for it and I hope to have it make Virginia a healthier commonwealth," Toscano said.
Daniel Riffe, manager of Corner restaurant O'Neills, said he does not think the smoking ban will adversely affect his business.
"It's going to affect one business as much as another one," he said. "If they're going to ban smoking in all restaurants it's going to be the same for everyone."
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