Editorial: Smoking 'ban' falls short

By: Tracy Bell | Stafford County Sun
Published: February 12, 2009

This week, the Virginia House of Delegates voted to approve a diluted version of an earlier proposed Virginia smoking ban in restaurants and bars. What started as a compromise between Gov. Tim Kaine and House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, ended up becoming full of exception after exception, it seems. The two had come to an agreement on a Virginia smoking ban in restaurants that came with the exception of inside private clubs and in designated, separate smoking rooms that are ventilated independent of one another.

Then, House Republicans threw in some more exceptions: outdoor patio areas and areas of restaurants used just for private events. Also, smoking would be OK whenever minors weren’t allowed around.

Now, the measure is on its way to the Senate.

And, it seems that Kaine is not quite so happy with the outcome, either.

On Tuesday, he said: "The health of adults is important, too. This was not a minors’ health bill. … It was an all-Virginians health bill."

Exactly.

This is not a smoking ban at all if people are…smoking!

And, why should it be OK for adults to suffer the effects of second-hand smoke, but minors can escape the effects because of their youth? Shouldn’t we all be able to breathe clean air?

People who wish to smoke sure can choose to do so, but not at the expense of others. This so-called smoking ban doesn’t go nearly far enough in its efforts to protect the general public.

Stafford County Sun editorials represent the opinion of the managing editor. Other columns, letters and cartoons on his page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the Stafford County Sun.