A comprehensive smoking-ban bill had the backing of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine but went down to defeat in the state House of Delegates, the Roanoke Times reported April 5.

Kaine amended a previously passed bill that called for all restaurants to be nonsmoking but provided a loophole: any restaurant that posted "Smoking Allowed" signs at its entrance could still allow customers to smoke. Kaine removed the sign provision, effectively creating a blanket ban on smoking.

However, the House of Delegates then voted 59-40 to reject the amendment. "Not withstanding the good intentions of the governor, he mucked up the law," said bill sponsor Delegate Morgan Griffith.

Opponents argued that Kaine's amendment meant that any establishment serving food would have to go smoke-free, including hotels with room service and private clubs. Kaine insisted that was not the case.

Kaine said he would veto the bill without his amendment included. Sen. Brandon Bell, a supporter of a comprehensive smoking ban, took comfort in the fact that the debate went as far as it did. "This year we got a vote in the entire House," Bell said. "We're getting closer and closer to finding the right type of legislation that will fit for Virginia."