Smoke Free Air Act; smoking in public places, civil penalties. (SB1057)

Introduced By

Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington) with support from 15 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:

Those copatrons are Del. Joe Bouchard (D-Virginia Beach), Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington), Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax), Del. Al Eisenberg (D-Arlington), Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria), Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), Del. Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria), Del. Margi Vanderhye (D-McLean), Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale), Sen. George Barker (D-Alexandria), Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), Sen. Janet Howell (D-Reston), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), Sen. Toddy Puller (D-Mount Vernon), Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria)

Description

Virginia Smoke Free Air Act; smoking in public places; civil penalties. Moves the law restricting smoking in buildings and other enclosed areas from the title relating to local government (15.2) to the title relating to health (32.1) and prohibits smoking indoors in most buildings or enclosed areas frequented by the public. Exceptions are provided for (i) private homes, private residences, private automobiles, and home-based businesses, unless used in conjunction with a licensed child care, adult day care, or health care facility; (ii) private clubs, except when being used for functions attended by persons other than members and invited guests; (iii) hotel or motel rooms designated as smoking rooms that are offered for rent to the public; (iv) specialty tobacco stores; (v) tobacco manufacturers; and (vi) private and semiprivate rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The bill requires the posting of "No Smoking" signs inside and at the entrances of areas where smoking is prohibited. Any person who continues to smoke in an area in which smoking is prohibited will be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100 for the first offense, and $250 for subsequent offenses. Failure to comply with the smoking restrictions will subject proprietors to a $200 civil penalty for the first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. Read the Bill »

Status

02/06/2009: Merged into SB1105

History