Virginia Smoking Ban begins tomorrow

Broadlands Pub may have my business now. I couldn't stand going in there with all of that smoke...

"Effective December 1, 2009, smoking will be prohibited in restaurants that are open to the public with a few exceptions."

http://www.vdh.state.va.us/news/Alerts/SmokingBanFAQs.htm

 

back in Feb the buzzz was that there was a $25 fine for breaking this law- i wonder if that cost of doing business fine is still the same...

 

It's long overdue, but welcome news.

Maybe you should still boycott Broadlands Pub since they weren't concerned with their customers' health until forced to change by the law. They could have gone smoke free on their own and didn't.

 

maybe people weren't concerned with their OWN health if they continued to smoke (or work in a place that ws so smoky,) and the pub provided THEM with a place to go and smoke comfortably, so what's the harm? anyone who goes to the pub knows it's smoky, so choose not to go if it bothers you- but a boycott is silly. if they didn't HAVE so many smoking customers, they would not HAVE allowed smoking. they're a business, not a health clinic.

 

So you think when they serve liquor they're being concerned about their customer's health? Alcohol is the most insidious drug in our society.

 

I agree that banning the smoking is a good thing but I guess it's the McDonalds rule in effect here: They *could* serve healthier food but the public seems happy to spend their money on the bad stuff. You can't regulate poor choices.

 

People, the point isn't that you can't go someplace that offers some unhealthy fare for you to indulge in. The problem is when the unhealthy activity bothers or impacts other people who are subjected to someone's bad side effects through no choice of their own. You go out of a meal and come back with clothes and hair that reek and extra carcinogens for your lungs. That's the issue.

 

Then simply do not go. I am as anti-smoking as anyone but I am not going to preach to a business if they choose to make the acceptable modifications and allow smoking.

 

What's an acceptable modification?

 

Enitrely enclosed area and a separate air system.

FYI - Original Steakhouse (soon to become All-American Steakhouse) had most of their modifications completed a week ago. The bar area is completely enclosed now, no more open walkways into it.

Don't quote me but I think they are also going to keep the hour restriction in place too. Smoking only after 9:30 PM.

 

works for me. and the All- american signs are up!

 

That's correct - smoking only after 9:30. At least for those that want to catch the Caps hockey game they can get in and out without smelling like a smokestack (unless the game goes into OT).

 

We never went to Badlands Pup due to the smoking, though we always wanted to try it out as a new biz. I remember when Fitzgerald's went non smoking, you could still smell it forever as it was ingrained in the walls and booths - regardless of the air system installed.

 

the fine IS still a measly $25. is that per smoker or per date of violation? if it's the latter- the $$$ that smokers bring into the establishments they currently frequent will be enough to offset that paltry fine! heck- charge a $5 ashtray rental fee and BAM. not a dime lost!

unbelievable... why make a rule if you are going to make it so easy to break?!?!

 

The person who is smoking is fined as well as the restaurant owner.

 

I was told that restaurants caught multiple times can loose their liquor license. So, it's a bit more important than just a $25 fine.

 

Broadlands Pub is under new management and is doing a complete overhaul of the place.
Expect more announcements as he gets further along.

 

i should hope so. otherwise it's just another BS law with no teeth that make it worth following!