RICHMOND -
There was a time when restaurants had to include a special section for "non-smoking." Now, the tables have turned- places to smoke are the exception to the rule.
Starting December 1, restaurants face stiff restrictions for permitting smoking indoors.
Area hospitals like Henrico Doctors' and Bon Secours have unveiled wide-reaching bans that bar smoking anywhere on their medical campuses.
So where exactly can you smoke?
CBS 6 spent Thursday afternoon traveling to different places with one mission- finding as many venues that allow smoking as possible.
Our results were limited.
Tobacco shops still provide a place to light up for cigar and cigarette smokers. But you need to buy some of the store's product first.
One Carytown cigar enthusiast, John Carter, wondered if the national movement to curb smoking would ultimately leave any rights for tobacco users.
"There's no stopping it," declared Carter, "whether it's national health care or smoking, the government has decided that they know what's best for all of us."
State legislation, which takes effect in less than two weeks, will permit smoking in restaurants only in rooms with separated ventilation systems, or on patios.
The policy favors establishments that already have multiple rooms built-in, like Joe's Inn on Shields Avenue.
"We're expecting business to increase on the [smoking] side of the restaurant," noted manager Tina Kafantaris, "just as people get used to not being able to smoke in most places in Richmond- but to what extent, we don't know."
One of her patrons will be Christian Keener, a local resident, who told CBS 6 emphatically "I know there are a few places that will still remain smoker [friendly], and those are the places I'll be going."
You can still light up in public parks, and some sporting events and fairs. Nascar fans, for example, can still smoke in the stands at RIR, but not in the family section.
When baseball resumes at the Diamond there will be a designated smoking section.
Lastly, the State Fair organizers permit the activity in outdoor areas but not inside tents or on ticket lines.
Starting December 1, restaurants face stiff restrictions for permitting smoking indoors.
Area hospitals like Henrico Doctors' and Bon Secours have unveiled wide-reaching bans that bar smoking anywhere on their medical campuses.
So where exactly can you smoke?
CBS 6 spent Thursday afternoon traveling to different places with one mission- finding as many venues that allow smoking as possible.
Our results were limited.
Tobacco shops still provide a place to light up for cigar and cigarette smokers. But you need to buy some of the store's product first.
One Carytown cigar enthusiast, John Carter, wondered if the national movement to curb smoking would ultimately leave any rights for tobacco users.
"There's no stopping it," declared Carter, "whether it's national health care or smoking, the government has decided that they know what's best for all of us."
State legislation, which takes effect in less than two weeks, will permit smoking in restaurants only in rooms with separated ventilation systems, or on patios.
The policy favors establishments that already have multiple rooms built-in, like Joe's Inn on Shields Avenue.
"We're expecting business to increase on the [smoking] side of the restaurant," noted manager Tina Kafantaris, "just as people get used to not being able to smoke in most places in Richmond- but to what extent, we don't know."
One of her patrons will be Christian Keener, a local resident, who told CBS 6 emphatically "I know there are a few places that will still remain smoker [friendly], and those are the places I'll be going."
You can still light up in public parks, and some sporting events and fairs. Nascar fans, for example, can still smoke in the stands at RIR, but not in the family section.
When baseball resumes at the Diamond there will be a designated smoking section.
Lastly, the State Fair organizers permit the activity in outdoor areas but not inside tents or on ticket lines.
