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RICHMOND, Va. — In a sign of how vilified smoking has become, lawmakers in Virginia — where the world’s largest cigarette factory churns out Marlboros — passed curbs on smoking in restaurants Monday.
On a vote of 59-39, the House of Delegates approved a watered-down version of a bill that allows smoking in private clubs, walled-in restaurant enclosures, outdoor cafes or places minors can’t go.
The Republican amendments now send the bill back to the Democrat-dominated Senate, where it faces a dubious fate. Still, the bill is a step beyond anything yet contemplated in Virginia.
Tobacco has been a mainstay since Virginia was founded at Jamestown 400 years ago and at one time was regarded as currency.
