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New smoking law could be costly for Va. businesses 

Bishop owns the Woodbridge Inn, and he said he's lucky because abiding by the legislation will probably cost him only about $2,000. Others may have to spend thousands more, he said.

Regardless, the law, passed by the Virginia General Assembly in February and signed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in March, is something about which eatery owners are thinking.

It prohibits lighting up in restaurants unless there is a smoking room that is physically separated and independently ventilated from nonsmoking areas. However, it exempts private clubs such as lodges, and nonenclosed outdoor areas of establishments.

Bishop already has separate ventilation systems at the watering hole he's owned for nearly three decades. So he's expecting to have to enclose only one area.

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