• Smoking Ban Passes In Va.

[underpants]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/02/19/ST2009021901986.html
RICHMOND, Feb. 19 -- The Virginia General Assembly gave final approval Thursday to a plan that prohibits smoking in most of the state's bars and restaurants, handing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine one of his first significant legislative victories.

Starting Dec. 1, smoking will be banned in most restaurants and bars, although it would be permitted in private clubs, on some outdoor patios and in separate ventilated rooms.

With no debate, the Democrat-controlled Senate voted 27 to 13 for the proposal. Hours later, the Republican-controlled House approved it 60 to 39. The bill will be sent to Kaine, who said he will sign it into law.

Kaine and House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) spent weeks behind closed doors negotiating the unexpected compromise. The deal represented a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation between the state's two most powerful leaders.

Governor promises quick signature on smoking ban
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SMOK20_20090219-222415/211191/
Kaine, who in 2006 had issued an executive order banning smoking in state government buildings, said he will sign the legislation.

"I think it will be signed quite swiftly -- in the quickest-drying ink I can find," Kaine said outside his office.

Twenty-three other states and Puerto Rico have passed bans on smoking indoors at bars and restaurants.

Information released by Kaine's office suggested that Virginia's new ban would be the toughest among the nation's top five tobacco-producing states, which also include North Carolina, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee. Among them, only Tennessee has a statewide ban, which exempts private clubs and any establishments that require proof of age to enter.