Tobacco.org

Most restaurants smoke-free, but exceptions exist 

More than three months after Virginia's new restrictions on smoking in restaurants went into effect, about 88 percent of restaurants in the state have gone smoke-free, the state Health Department says.

Yet smokers still can find havens where lighting up is welcomed. Some restaurants have taken steps to permit smoking legally. Stories also abound of places where smoking is accepted even in violation of the law, which has prompted some calls for tougher enforcement and fines.

The law, which went into effect Dec. 1, prohibits smoking in restaurants but allows certain exceptions. Restaurants may allow smoking indoors only if they have separately enclosed and vented smoking and nonsmoking rooms with a public entrance into the nonsmoking area. They also may allow smoking in outdoor areas such as patios.

So far, it appears that few, if any, summonses have been issued for violations.

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