In This Section:
N.J. Senate Pushes Calorie Posting Toward Vote
Virginia Slims Smokers' Opportunities
L.A. May Ban Patio Smoking By Year's End
This issue's Economic Report Sponsor: Internorga 2010
Industry Report Sponsor: Hotelex 2010
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N.J. Senate Pushes Calorie Posting Toward Vote
Despite the fact that the U.S. Congress has outlined national standards in both House and Senate version of healthcare bills, the New Jersey legislature is mulling its own bill to require chains to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards.
Similar to bills passed in the states of New York and California, as well as city bills in Philadelphia and Seattle, the New Jersey law would require chains with 20 or more units to list the calorie content of foods and beverages on menus, menu boards and drive-through boards unless the entry is a promotional item on the menu for 60 days or fewer.
The bill imposes fines of $50 to $100 for a first offense; scofflaws could be fined up to $500 for a second offense.
A Senate health committee passed the bill in late November, which moves it to the full senate for consideration. The bill would take effect six months from date of approval by the governor if it makes it through the legislature.
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Virginia Slims Smokers' Opportunities
In case you lost track, the smoking ban Virginia passed last February took effect Dec. 1. The law, a compromise between opposing sides in a state long known for its tobacco industry, still allows smoking but only in walled-off, ventilated smoking sections in bars and restaurants.
The law also exempts private clubs and patios or outdoor seating areas, but it bans smoking in most other public places. The state health department says nearly three-quarters of operators in the state already have gone smoke-free, saving themselves the cost and hassle of providing separate smoking areas.
Though smaller operators without enough room to put in a smoking room have protested the law as unfair, some may simply let patrons light up anyway. The fine to operators and patrons who ignore the ban is $25.
L.A. May Ban Patio Smoking By Year's End
And yes, another smoking item in a slow regulatory week: Next year, smokers in Los Angeles may not even be able to take it outside. A proposed ordinance up for city-council approval would ban smoking within 10 ft. of outdoor dining areas, restaurant patios, gardens and decks.
The proposal also would define any area within 30 ft. of a mobile vendor—a taco truck or hot dog cart, for example—as outdoor dining. Nightclubs and bars serving only those 18 and older, however, would be exempt. A provision to let restaurants designate special outdoor smoking areas was pulled from the ordinance.
The proposed ordinance was passed by the council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee. Committee chairman Tom LaBonge is pushing for a full council vote by the end of the year. Operators would have a year, though, to comply. The grace period, according to LaBonge, would give businesses time to learn about the new law. The city also plans to rely on business and community groups for help in translating the law into different languages to make sure ethnic operators get the message.
When enforcement starts, violators can face fines of up to $250 under the proposal.
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