Virginia House OKs Limits on Smoking

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House of Delegates tentatively approved anti-smoking legislation Monday that includes smoking limits for all state and local government buildings.

Bowing to growing public sentiment for relief from secondhand tobacco smoke in public places, even some delegates from the heart of the state’s tobacco country voted for the measure, saying the state must set a policy and end the debate.

The House measure passed on a voice vote and was scheduled for a final vote today. It would require no-smoking areas in government buildings and prohibit smoking in such areas as elevators and hospital emergency rooms. The state Senate has passed a similar measure.