Tuesday was the first day of the statewide smoking ban inside Virginia restaurants. The penalty for violating the ban is $25, which can be imposed upon the proprietor or the individuals who are smoking.
But at least one restaurant isn’t putting away the ashtrays.
Caddy’s lounge, at 13312 Midlothian Turnpike, is openly defying the ban, according to a report by CBS 6 WTVR.
Below are quotes from owner Judy Maxi:
“I want to be one of the restaurants that people can come into and still smoke and have a good time and not have to worry about it,” says Maxi.
And she’s anything but worried about breaking the law.
“I don’t consider it breaking the law. This is my business. It’s private owned. It’s in my name and it’s not in the state’s name. … I mean, a $25 fine is nothing compared to what I’m losing in sales. I’ve even had customers who offered to pay the fine for me,” says Maxi.
Maxi said in the story that 95 percent of her customers smoke. Judging from the comments section below the article, her stand is winning her even more customers.
Watch the video below:
Amsterdam bars & restaurants recently went smoke free, by law. I was there earlier this year.
The first violation cost the bar owner 500-euro. The second violation is a couple thousand euro. Third violation results in the loss of liquor license.
Several places have been busted by plain clothes police. Typically a restaurant will comply with the law after the second bust, since the prospect of losing one’s liquor license strikes the most fear into bar & restaurant owners.
Perhaps the Virginia law needs a little more teeth to be fully effective.
I agree if the law is going exist it needs to have penalties that make the owner notice it on the bottom line. I think that $500 first time, $1500 2nd time and taking away the liquir license on the third would do the trick.
I am a non-smoker, but I support the owner of this establishment as should every other freedom loving Virginian and American. It is a privately owned business and the government has no right to dictate this type of law. The free market should determine the fate or success of any business selling or allowing the use of legal products. If you don’t like to smoke and don’t want to be around it, then don’t go there. If you like to smoke or don’t mind being around people who do smoke then you should have the right to do so. The business owner can decide whether he wants to allow smoking or not. If the owner feels like his business will do better in a smoke-free environment then he can choose to do so and vice-versa.
As far as those who cite increased healthcare cost for smokers, what other activities or foods (cheeseburgers, fried foods, etc.) do we consume that could also be deemed bad for our health and restricted using the same mentality? The government is encroaching on our freedoms more and more each day and we must stand up and put a stop to it! I have never been to Caddy’s, but I think I will go there the next time I am in the area.
I’m extremely proud of her stance. At the end of the day, Americans value freedom and liberty. Lets come together and repeal this obscene affront to freedom.
and i should have the right to eat where i want to eat and not have other peoples poison entering my lungs. Non smoking sections in most cases are a joke.
ON THE OTHER HAND- said MANY restaurants have opted on their own to be non smoking and i can and do chose to go to them. I am glad for my lungs that I don’t have to find out the hard way what restaurants are smoke free but do feel the owner of the establishment should have the right to make the decision in the end .
I completely agree with Jeff – this is a private owned business and if you don’t want to be around smoke – don’t go in – but that is too simple, we have to get Big Brother involed – Definitely government is into too much……………….
I don’t smoke and don’t like to eat around smokers but that’s my choice and I can choose which establishments I frequent. That said, I support the owner 100% in her decision to give her customers a choice. The next thing is the government will be in YOUR house telling you what you can do and it won’t stop at smoking. Let the marketplace make market decisions. Stop government encroachment now!
If you can have a smoke-free business (forced to now), why can’t you have a smokers only business? Do you have a separate ventalation system for smokers and smoke-free? Yes, the outside of the business has fresh air for non-smokers and the inside is filled with smoke. Done, also I’m a non-smoker that doesn’t care for going into smoked filled places but there are exceptions to everything. Hell I’ll pay the fine for you just to stick it to the man for not putting in “smoke-only” businesses.
Depending on what research you look at between 20-30% of American smoke…That leaves 70-80% of us who do not smoke. You want to talk about freedom, why don’t you think about the freedom of the 70-80% of us that would like to have to freedom to not inhale the disgusting crap that comes out of the end of your cancer stick. You say this is the government stepping on the toes of American freedom, however this has been an outcry by the public of Virginia for years. Ignorant!
I have been in multiple states that are now smoke free, and have actually been in three when the ban went into effect. Business do not suffer! If you are naive enough to think that smokers (or non-smokers) are going to stop drinking alcohol and enjoying dining or nightlife because of a smoking ban then you are, simply put, silly. Hotels, Airports, Malls you name it are all smoke free and have been for years. Has it stopped anyone from using the facilities??? Sure hasn’t. Alcohol and food will always sell regardless of wether you can smoke while you purchase them or not. I know for a fact there will be a lot more people frequenting restaurants as a result of the new ban.
Stop complaining about having to walk 30 feet outside to smoke a cigarette. The 70-80% of us who don’t smoke will gladly thank you for finally acknowledging our freedom. Besides, you smokers look so much cooler in your jackets blowing smoke rings in the cold. And if you’re nostalgic for the old smoke filled air effect, then just huddle together and blow smoke in each others faces and you can gain some added warmth at the same time.
Thank you Tim Kaine for having a pair and signing off on it!
I AM ALL FOR FREEDOM. THIS IS AMERICA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I SMOKE AND IF THATS WHAT I ENJOY WHO ARE YOU TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME.HATS OFF TO CADDY’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS.MY GRANDPARENTS SMOKED SO DID THERE GRANDPARENTS.EVER BEEN BEHIND A CITY BUS IN THE SUMMER.WHAT ARE YOU BREATHING.THAT WILL KILL YOU BEFORE SMOKING WILL.WE AS AMERICANS NEED TO STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS.IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT GO SOME WHERE ELSE.ALREADY WE
HAVE HAD PRAYER TAKEN AWAY .WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY? THIS IS MY HOME.THANK GOD TIM KAINE IS OUT.YOU DID’NT DO MUCH FOR US EXCEPT GIVE US
A BIG PAIN IN THE NECK.I WILL ALSO PAY HER FINE.