Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Editorial: Kaine smokes out the House
Kaine amended a bill that will not allow delegates to continue ducking a vote on a smoking ban.
From the RoundTable blog
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Gov. Tim Kaine didn't just amend House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith's "smoking bill." He gutted it and in doing so challenged each delegate to finally decide: smoking or nonsmoking?
Until now, delegates have ducked the question: Do they care more about the public's health or trumped-up reasons to protect big tobacco?
Griffith is already on record: He'll resist Kaine's amendment that strips his industry-placating bill. The Salem Republican's effort was actually regressive; it abolished even the need for restaurants to keep nonsmoking sections.
Senators have twice voted in favor of the public's health by endorsing smoking bans in all public places. Delegates weaseled out, first by refusing to vote on the Senate's bill, and second by latching onto Griffith's ploy. They must have heaved a breath of relief when their leader devised such a tactic.
We don't doubt that Griffith sincerely believes his bill would eventually accomplish the same thing as a smoking ban. He theorizes that restaurants that are forced to post on the door that they allow smoking would suffer serious financial harm as would-be patrons flock instead to nonsmoking establishments.
Further, he frets about telling private property owners what they may or may not allow. Nonsense. The state crossed that line when it banned smoking in theaters and day cares. And it has layers of laws to protect the public while patronizing private businesses. Think building codes and kitchen inspections. For that reason, we fault the governor for stopping at restaurants with his ban; it should extend to all enclosed public places.
We don't share Griffith's belief or enthusiasm in the theory of slowly choking off smoking. Surely other delegates share our skepticism and have heard from constituents who would prefer to dine out without chewing on a mouthful of drifting smoke.
So the question remains: Will delegates vote to please their leader or will they vote to protect the frail, the young and everyone in between from the hazards of second-hand smoke? Voters should especially take note of this one.
