Smoking Ban...maybe not

Well at first my heart soared at the news that the Virginia House of Delegates had voted to approve a smoking ban in restaurants in Virginia. But then came the reality that the bill had been watered down. The first compromise I could live with, smoking allowed in private clubs and in restaurants that have a separate room with a separate ventilation system. Okay not a total ban but I can live with that because a separate room and vent system would cost money, money a restauranteur would not likely shell out thus preserving the essence of the ban so I was good with that. Then news comes out that last minute ammendments changed that the room only needs to separated by a door, and no separate vent system. So how do you define a door? Swinging door or hermetically sealed? Too much wiggle room. I know a few establishments that we go to will probably hang two doors up and declare it a separate room. So I am disappointed. But at others we frequent, like Glory Days, are too open so I think they will truly be smoke free. I put in a lot of work with my legislators and those legislators opposed to a ban and thought I was seeing the promised land. Well at least I know for next years playoffs I will be able to find a smoke free sports bar to watch at.