General Assembly members seeking to outlaw smoking in most indoor public places in Virginia, including bars and restaurants, touted surveys Tuesday showing a strong public desire for the legislation.
According to a November poll of 625 registered voters by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, 71 percent would like to see a law banning smoking in public places, while 29 percent opposed the proposal. Health organizations such as the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society paid for the research. A smoking ban has bipartisan backing, according to the survey, which reported that 78 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of Republicans and 69 percent of independents said they supported a smoking prohibition.
Despite the apparent high level of public support, the measure still faces long odds in the General Assembly.
“If a vote was held right now, we probably would not do well,” said Del. Harvey Morgan, R-Gloucester, a co-sponsor of the smoking-ban measures.
Business groups, especially those representing the hospitality and tourism industries, oppose further smoking restrictions.
“There will definitely be negative economic impacts,” said Julia Hammond, a lobbyist for the restaurant industry. “We think the marketplace should determine this. If customers want restaurants to go smoke free, the restaurants will cater to their clientele.”
Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke, has reintroduced a bill, which passed in the Senate last year but died in a House subcommittee, that would ban smoking in most indoor public places, including restaurants. Del. Vincent Callahan, R-McLean, has resurrected a House version of Bell’s bill, which was also killed in a subcommittee last year.
“Public health has always been the government’s responsibility,” Callahan said. “The detrimental effects of smoking are well known. I did a survey of a half-dozen bars and restaurants in my district. Three had already voluntarily gotten rid of smoking and the others said getting rid of it would not hurt their business.”
Violators would fined as much as $100 for the first offense and $250 for future transgressions. Business owners not following the ban would be fined $200 the first time and $500 for future offenses under the proposed legislation.
