Va. House Sends Smoking Ban Bill to Conference (AP/WaPo)

[eppur_se_muova]

Associated Press
Tuesday, February 17, 2009; 12:52 PM

Without comment, the House rejected the Senate's efforts to restore terms of a restaurant smoking ban the House gutted last week.

The House, on a voice vote Tuesday that lasted less than 30 seconds, insisted on its amendments that weakened a compromise between Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine and Republican House Speaker Bill Howell

That puts the bill into a conference committee between select House and Senate members to work out differences in the legislation.

The compromise would require restaurants to establish separately ventilated rooms for smokers. It would exempt private clubs and fine violators just $25.

Republican House amendments weakened the bill to allow either separate ventilation or a door on the room, not both. It also allows smoking in any restaurant rented for private, invitation-only events.
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more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/17/AR2009021701492.html

A few weeks ago, I drove through VA and was startled to see a highway sign -- white letters on green background, like any other official traffic sign -- saying "Virginia Supports Tobacco", presumably put up with the aid of taxpayer funds. Looks like not all taxpayers in VA agree.