With many in the bar scene grumbling over the smoking ban going into effect December 1st, and the inevitably approaching winter temps (although 70* today does provide some hope), we have to wonder if such a die-hard group of drinkers will shift to accommodate establishments which cater to the new requirements for indoor inhaling.  As the new Virginia code rather clearly states:

Any portion of a restaurant that is constructed in such a manner that the area where smoking may be permitted is (i) structurally separated from the portion of the restaurant in which smoking is prohibited and to which ingress and egress is through a door and (ii) separately vented to prevent the recirculation of air from such area to the area of the restaurant where smoking is prohibited. At least one public entrance to the restaurant shall be into an area of the restaurant where smoking is prohibited.

We have been compiling a list of establishments which meet these criteria; however the ‘public entrance’ requirement knocks a few out of the running.  Additionally, from having traveled to quite a few locations with indoor smoking bans, there are always proprietors willing to accept the risk of a $25 fine (businesses = per person smoking? / individuals = per cigarette you’ve been observed to smoke?).  The code doesn’t clearly lay out the enforcement structure of these fines, although I’d imagine with 23 states having preceded us, there should have been ample code to plagiarize.

So, for those of us who continue to enjoy a little masochism with our mimosas, what locations are you betting will benefit from the new laws?  [Photo Credits]

Governor Timothy M. Kaine and key leaders in the General Assembly today announced a landmark agreement to pass a statewide smoking ban in Virginia’s bars and restaurants. The legislation will ban smoking in nearly all restaurants across the Commonwealth, allowing narrow exceptions for private clubs and restaurants with a designated smoking room that is physically separated and independently ventilated from non-smoking dining areas.

“The dangers of second-hand smoke are undeniable – that’s why I made a restaurant smoking ban one of my legislative priorities. This legislation will make Virginia’s restaurants safer for both patrons and employees,” Governor Kaine said. “I’m proud to have been able to work with leaders in both parties of the General Assembly to find common ground on this reasonable and necessary public health measure.”

Today’s announcement comes after Governor Kaine worked closely with legislative leaders to craft an agreement acceptable to both parties and both houses.

Virginia House Speaker William Howell also noted the agreement as a step forward for Virginians: “I am pleased to join in announcing a reasonable compromise on an issue important to Virginians,” said Speaker Howell. “The compromise strikes a fair balance between the rights of smokers who choose to enjoy a legal product and the rights of other individuals who want to enjoy a smoke-free environment when eating at a restaurant. This legislation is all about finding opportunities for cooperation and compromise where possible. And, where state leaders can find and share such common ground, we should.”

Second-hand smoke is responsible for an estimated 1,700 deaths per year, according to the Virginia Department of Health. In addition, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids estimates the Commonwealth spends $113 million a year on health care expenditures related to exposure to second-hand smoke.

To improve the health of Virginia’s employees and minimize health risks in the work place, Governor Kaine signed Executive Order 41 banning smoking in all state buildings and vehicles in October 2006.
The agreement makes Virginia part of a growing list of states around the country that are passing legislation curbing smoking in restaurants. Twenty-three other states and Puerto Rico have already passed bans on smoking indoors at bars and restaurants. Maryland and the District of Columbia passed similar restrictions on smoking in restaurants in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Video announcement after the break…

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I read an interesting article this morning from 2005 discussing the benefits of THC in fighting cancers versus Nicotine in promoting them:

But a recent review of studies on the effects of marijuana and tobacco smoke suggests that the cancer-promoting effects of these ingredients is increased by the tobacco in nicotine and reduced by the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis.

So where does that leave us Virginians?

Marijuana is the most widely abused illicit drug in Virginia. According to TEDS data, there were 4,677 marijuana-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in Virginia in 2002, more than for any other illicit drug and an increase from 3,781 in 2001. According to the 1999 and 2000 NHSDA, 4.1 percent of Virginia residents reported having abused marijuana at least once in the month prior to the survey; this is statistically comparable to 4.8 percent nationwide.

The Virginia Cancer Registry found that the incidence rate of lung and bronchus cancers (per 100,000) in our Thomas Jefferson District is 80.9 for Males and 54.2 for Females. In 2006 the Virginia Department of Health found that 19.3% of adult Virginians were smokers. You would think that this would create higher cases of lung cancer right?

I am still trying to wrap my head around these numbers. In order to help us better understand, lets share some of our deepest, darkest smoking secrets (are there any statisticians who can tell me if I am completely botching this analysis?):

[pic from Simon Davison flickr]

Like, OMG, it’s so important that a restaurant bans smoking that it makes it on TV. That’s pretty cool.

The banning will happen on June 1st, according to the McGrady’s website.

I love the patio and the uber-cheap drink specials, but …can we get a ban on the bad food, too?

In case anyone was wondering, happy hour specials after the break…

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Thor’s nicotine dependence post a couple of weeks ago came at just the right time. I happened to witness one of the dangerous side effects of smoking. A girl was driving down my street while trying to light her cigarette. She proceeded to hit my neighbor’s parked car. While I did feel bad (for my neighbor), I also laughed at her complete stupidity. I had to go to work so I am not sure if she actually admitted how she came to hit the car to my neighbor or the police.

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University of Virginia’s Ming Li, released a study in February which discovered a gene associated with smoking/nicotine dependence in Europeans and African Americans.  The evil gene, which many of you have, is called NRXN1. Here is the image of said evil gene:

If that doesn’t look like a smoking addict, then I don’t know what does. 

The research is groundbreaking for several reasons.  Mainly, finding a gene that results in increased nicotine addiction brings us closer to identifying why certain people have more addictive personalities to certain drugs.  Additionally, the study is important because it provides “novel and strong” evidence that the gene is linked to nicotine addiction, for the first time in African Americans; and confirms that the gene is linked to nicotine addiction in Europeans.

Still no word on how to kick smoking. 

The abstract, for science buffs, is after the break:
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Enough is enough. Both of my breakfast/brunch outings this past week were ruined by Virginia’s malignant pastime; smoking. I know I know, we are ‘down south’. Who cares. Its 2008 not 1955, and by now everyone knows how bad cigarette smoke is. If we can smoke whenever we please we should also be able to shoot people in the gut, for fun. While both might result in death, for some reason when someone waves a gun in the air we all run for the hills, yet when they smoke, we just mutter under our breath. It’s really never ok to smoke amongst people who haven’t given you the permission to do so. »Read More