Just 12 days remain until a new Virginia law restricting smoking in restaurants goes into effect.
Starting Dec. 1, smoking will be prohibited in restaurants, with some exceptions. Smokers and proprietors who violate the law will face civil penalties of $25.
More than 70 percent of full-service and fast-food restaurants in the state already are nonsmoking, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Public-health officials and some business groups say they expect to see that percentage rise significantly once the new law is effective.
The law, passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine earlier this year, provides some exceptions. For example, private clubs such as fraternal organizations are exempt. Restaurants also may allow smoking in rooms that are separately enclosed and separately vented from nonsmoking areas. Smoking may be permitted in outdoor areas of restaurants that are not enclosed.
Even restaurants that have exempt areas can go entirely smoke-free voluntarily, which is exactly what many advocates are expecting to see. Some restaurants might take steps to provide separate smoking areas, but "the majority are going smoke-free completely," said David DeBiasi, director of public advocacy for the American Lung Association of Virginia.
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