Virginia Legislature Approves Smoking Ban

The Virginia General Assembly today voted to approve a smoking ban in most of the state's bars and restaurants. The Virginia Senate approved the measure 27-13 on Thursday morning, and a few hours later, the House passed it as well, 60 to 39, without debate.

This is a big deal, since the home state of Philip Morris has failed to pass a smoking ban numerous times over the course of a decade that saw bans enacted across the rest of the country. But it's also not as big of a deal, since, as we've written before, the bill was weakened to allow smoking in "private clubs" and in establishments that have separately ventilated enclosed smoking rooms. Language in the bill that would have allowed smoking in establishments that don't permit minors was removed, however. The smoking ban would take effect Dec. 1.