One of the historic home states of the U.S. tobacco industry has moved closer to banning indoor smoking, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Feb. 3.

The state Senate's Health and Education Committee approved the ban 10-5, sending it to the full Senate for a vote. Last year, a more far-reaching bill was defeated by the Senate 26-14; the current measure allows local governments to decide whether to ban smoking in restaurants, but mandates a ban in most other workplaces. "I think this has a great deal of support in the public," said bill sponsor Sen. Brandon Bell (R-Roanoke County).

Any locale where smoking is still allowed would be required to post a warning sign to that effect. The measure establishes fines both for venues that illegally allow indoor smoking and individuals who violate the ban.

The Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association opposes the legislation, saying both that property owners should decide whether smoking is allowed and that there should be a statewide ban if one is passed at all, not a variety of local ordinances.

"If there is a state in America that should allow smoking in public, it should be the state that produces cigarettes," said smoker Brian Silva; Virginia is home to tobacco company Philip Morris.