The District was first to clear the ashtrays from its taverns in 2007. Maryland pushed its smokers outside not long after, in 2008. And on Tuesday, so goes Virginia. The march of smoking bans in bars and restaurants across the region has made lighting up while dining out a practical impossibility for many people. And Virginia’s ban — which kicks in Tuesday — leaves the Washington area with a only a handful of venues where a cu ... Jump to full article >>

It’s a good time to be a St. Louis County resident who routinely votes. If you like attention and influence, that is. Both sides in the battle over Proposition N, the county’s smoking ban measure, are focusing their last-minute efforts on people who go to the polls — not just in high-profile election years but also in so-called off years like 2009. With low turnout expected, reaching these voters is crucial for the campaigns. T ... Jump to full article >>