Governor Timothy M. Kaine would like to add the restaurant smoking ban on the agenda when the General Assembly gathers next year. A big question is what is defined as a “food establishment” particularly when an establishment offers both indoor and outdoor seating such as Escabar, Phillip’s Continental Lounge, (both at Libbie and Grove) etc.

From the Times-Dispatch article:

Now, state health officials, directed by Kaine to look into the matter, are suggesting changing the state code to define a restaurant as an indoor area of a building or structure where food is prepared, served and consumed.

Outdoor areas where food is served would be defined as “food establishments.”