Tomorrow marks the end of an era,even more so than when they successfully did this in the 46 states before us already. Banning smoking in VIRGINIA isn't like banning it in Utah. Frescoes of big,beautiful,golden brown tobacco leaves adorn our state Capitol's rotunda ceiling for chrisake! But Virginia knew that it had to cave in sooner or later. I mean,46 of the 50 states had some form of ban and it probably would've been even more embarrassing to be the FINAL holdout,that would've been just TOO cliche'(we'll leave being cliche' to the states that are more accustomed to that:Alaska,Alabama,WEST Virginia...y'all know who you are,you don't need me to tell you). Keep in mind however,that of all the 47 states that have some kind of formal ban,ours is probably the most lax in that the penalties are negligible(maximum $25 fine). This ban is the extremely watered down version of the more ambitious ones that have failed miserably before it,and essentially,the "ban" just makes official what 70% of restaurants in the state ALREADY do,so this is actually nothing more than a token gesture. IN OTHER WORDS, politics at it's best (or worst,depending on your level of cynicism). The amount of money the tobacco and restaurant lobby spend in our state Capitol certainly can't be compatible to what they perceive they're losses would be had they not greased the wheels of legislature,or at the very least,is a wash. The point being is that A LOT of money has changed hands between lobbyists and state officials over this matter and nothing was actually accomplished other than state official pockets getting fatter.
Personally,I could care less either way,it's just a good excuse to do a theme show!
Been Smoking Too Long / Nick Drake Cinders & Smoke / Iron & Wine Cigarettes & Kerosene / Earlimart
Mama Don't Smoke / Bran Van 3000 Cigarette Girls / The Bible Up In Smoke / The Bible Smoke / Ben Folds Five Cigarette / The Smithereens
Smoke Gets In Your Eye / Nat King Cole Trio Smokey Joe's Cafe / The Robins Cigarette Party / Dex Romwebber Duo Tobacco Road / Southern Culture On The Skids
Smoke On,Jerry / The Minus 5 Smoke / Meat Puppets Ole Smokey / Graham Central Station My Little Japanese Cigarette Case / Spoon
Cuban Cigar / The Slackers Bitter Cigarette / The Holy Hand Grenades Smoke Rings / Hurricane #1
Cigarettes & Alcohol / Oasis Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors / Editors Smoke It / The Dandy Warhols Smoking Her Clothes / Inspiral Carpets
Cigarette Smoke / Arctic Monkeys Can I Have A Smoke,Dude? / Mary's Danish Smokeless Zone / XTC Smokescreen / Shocking Pinks Pop Cigar / Garageland Cigarello / The Fratellis