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Turns out that membership fees to a private club earn you more than a secret handshake or a t-shirt with your nickname on it. Under the new smoking ban, private clubs are exempted, which makes them some of the last unfiltered puffing posts. Want to turn your living room into a cigar bar? Know your rights!
§ 15.2-2825. Smoking in restaurants prohibited; exceptions; posting of signs; penalty for violation.
A. Effective December 1, 2009, smoking shall be prohibited and no person shall smoke in any restaurant in the Commonwealth or in any restroom within such restaurant, except that smoking may be permitted in:
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6. Any private club.
“Private club” means an organization, whether incorporated or not, that (i) is the owner, lessee, or occupant of a building or portion thereof used exclusively for club purposes, including club or member sponsored events; (ii) is operated solely for recreational, fraternal, social, patriotic, political, benevolent, or athletic purposes, and only sells alcoholic beverages incidental to its operation; (iii) has established bylaws, a constitution, or both that govern its activities; and (iv) the affairs and management of which are conducted by a board of directors, executive committee, or similar body chosen by the members at an annual meeting.
