Jump to full article: Norfolk (VA) Virginian-Pilot, 2009-11-29
Author: Jaedda Armstrong
Intro: White and her staff were creating a smoking room at the nightclub to comply with the law that goes into effect Tuesday.
Businesses such as White's that serve food have these options under Virginia's new smoking ban: prohibit lighting up in their restaurants; designate outdoor areas for smoking; or set up a smoking room that is walled off and ventilated.
Private clubs are exempt from the ban.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed the legislation in March. According to the Virginia Department of Health, about 66 percent of the state's bars and restaurants were smoke-free before the legislation was approved. After approval, the number rose to more than 70 percent.
Yet, some local businesses don't want to take the risk of going totally smoke-free.
White would rather dish out $8,000 to create a separate smoking room than risk losing half her loyal customers.
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