From the Washington Post: After a heated and raucous public meeting, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to use its zoning powers to ban smoking in restaurants, an unusual tactic opponents said would lead to costly lawsuits.
Many states and cities, including Maryland and the District, have banned smoking in public places, but the Virginia legislature severely limits local authority in such issues. Alexandria has opted to use the power it does have -- in this case, control over land-use regulation -- to force restaurant owners to go smoke-free or lose their operating permits. It is the first jurisdiction in Virginia to take such action.
Should the Arlington County Board take a similar approach to ban smoking here in Arlington? After all, President Bush's own surgeon general has declared, "The debate is over. [Secondhand smoke] causes disease and kills people."
While many Arlington restaurants have gone smoke-free -- the Arlington Civic Federation maintains a great list -- few popular bars are smoke-free. Arlington's most popular happy hour spots -- Rock Bottom, Carpool, Whitlow's, Front Page, Dr. Dremo's, Mister Days -- all allow smoking.
Should Arlington use its zoning powers to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, even at the risk of a lawsuit?
3 comments:
Yes please! I would love a smoking ban in Arlington. I would much likelier to spend my happy hour money at an Arlington bar/restaurant if it were smoke free.
Come on Arlington - get your act together and take a stand. This isn't Richmond.
If Arlington adopts a non-smoking ban, I am sure that restaurant, bar, and club business will increase. I for one, do not visit places where smoking is allowed. And I spend a LOT of money at Arlington restaurants!
i live in indiana and i completely support smoking bans. even if i were a smoker i would agree with smoking bans and this is why: no person has the right to inflict another with harm. smoke is harmful to all who breathe it. in fact, smokers infringe on all of society's right to health. thus it is not only unfair, but wrong for anyone to force their bad habit upon me and my family! amen to the ban!
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