Collegiate Times

As Virginia Governor Tim Kaine stated last week that he would consider a Virginia ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, Blacksburg residents and Tech students remain divided on the issue.

During a radio call-in show Aug. 29, Kaine said he would consider a tailored ban on smoking in places such as restaurants and bars, but not a ban on smoking in all public places.

?Tailored solutions to places that are primarily public places like bars and restaurants would be one thing,? Kaine said on Washington Post Radio. ?But when you reach beyond that to any place where the public is allowed, I just think that?s too far.?

Donna Reynolds, director of community relations for the American Lung Association of Virginia, said an anti-smoking ban in Virginia is critical to protecting public health, especially in a college town such as Blacksburg. ?I think in a college town, it?s even more important,? Reynolds said. ?You may have a lot of young adults, some of them might be working part-time jobs in bars and restaurants ? it?s very important to protect them.?

?The other thing it does for everyone, including young people, is it creates an environment where people are seeing fewer people who smoke,? she said. ?Research shows that smoke-free communities make smoke-free kids and adults; it?s not convenient, it?s not tolerated in public areas, so fewer people are likely to smoke.?

The benefits of anti-smoking legislation do not outweigh the disadvantages for some Tech students, however. ?I think it?s ridiculous,? said Colby Flinchum, junior psychology major. ?Especially in a bar, smoking is kind of a staple. A lot of people are smokers, and a lot of people look forward to that smoke break ? that?s what gets them through the day ? It?s a good thought, but probably not the best idea because it would exclude a whole group of people,? he said.

Other options such as better ventilation and barriers between smoking and non-smoking sections would be more practical, Flinchum said.

John Bissey, manager of the London Underground Pub on Main Street, added, it?s not the government?s right to pass such legislation.

?I personally say no to it,? Bissey said. ?I don?t think it?s the government?s position to tell private companies what they can do.?

Such a ban, however, would not necessarily be detrimental to business, Bissey said. ?If every place in town (had the ban), people are still going to go out,? he said. ?I think we would lose some people who say, ?If I can?t smoke, I?ll stay home.? But you?ll pick up a few people who will come out because there?s none.?

Abby Dubose, day manager of Top of the Stairs, agreed that a ban would not likely hurt business. ?I don?t think it would hurt us at all because we?re such an open bar (with outdoor decks),? Dubose said. Additionally, ?not as many people smoke as they used to ? and so many people are used to (smoking bans) who are from bigger states who have those laws already.?

New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine, for example, prohibit smoking in restaurants and bars.

Unlike other states, however, Virginia is the fourth largest tobacco-producing state in the U.S. and the second largest tobacco-manufacturing state, according to the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. In the past, legislation against smoking has failed to garner necessary support.

In February, a Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee unanimously rejected a bill proposed by Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, to make public places smoke-free.

The bill, which had passed in the Senate by a 21-18 vote, would prohibit ?smoking indoors in most buildings or enclosed areas frequented by the public.? According to the bill, exceptions would include private residences, certain private functions held in public facilities, hotel or motel rooms designated as ?smoking? rooms, specialty tobacco stores and tobacco manufacturers.

Any person who continues to smoke in a prohibited area after being asked to stop would be fined $100, according to the bill.

Despite the bill?s failure last year, Bell said Kaine?s recent comments are ?encouraging.? ?Before he was reluctant. Now he?s moved to state buildings and restaurants,? Bell said. ?He?s not closing the door to something that might work.?

Reynolds said Virginia is ready for anti-smoking measures.

?Once you start harming others with your behavior, or your addiction in this case, then the public health needs to step in,? she said. ?We?re ready to make Virginia the 15th state to go smoke-free. We?re not blazing a trail here, but we don?t need to be 49th either.?

Bell said he plans to introduce his anti-smoking bill again January when the Senate reconvenes.