Kaine: State buildings to be smoke-free (Virginia)

[underpants]

Kaine: State buildings to be smoke-free

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149191368932&path=%21news&s=1045855934842

Beginning Jan. 1, smoking will be banned in most state buildings and state-owned vehicles.

A few months ago, Kaine mentioned that he planned to impose the ban. Currently the supervisors of state buildings and vehicles make decisions about smoking. Directors of the prisons and mental hospital systems and the superintendent of state police will continue to develop rules for their agencies.

"It is now time to take the policy that is patchwork and make it uniform," Kaine said yesterday. "Banning smoking is the right thing to do to protect the health of state employees and Virginians who have to use the buildings to conduct business."

"Philip Morris USA understands and agrees that people should be able to avoid being around secondhand smoke particularly in places where they must go, such as public buildings," said Bill Phelps, spokesman for the company headquartered here. It employs about 6,000 in the Richmond area.

Kaine's order could only be overturned by a successor or the General Assembly