Virginia, home of Philip Morris and one of the biggest tobacco-producing states in the U.S., has taken a step towards establishing an indoor-smoking ban.

The Associated Press reported Jan. 25 that the Virginia Senate's Education and Health Committee voted 9-5 to approve a measure that would ban smoking in most public indoor places. The state Senate passed a similar bill last year, but it died in a House subcommittee.

"There is a great deal of momentum across the country for this measure," said Sen. Brandon Bell, the bill's sponsor. However, the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association opposes the measure. "The current system is working," said association lobbyist Julia Hammond. "There are several different types of smoking environments for customers."

Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine has said he supports a restaurant smoking ban but may not want to ban smoking in all private workplaces, although he did bar smoking in most state offices and vehicles last year.