Dining out should always be an enjoyable experience, but if you’re one of the more than 6.2 million Virginians who don’t smoke, chances are you aren’t fully satisfied by restaurants with smoking sections.

Restaurants with smoking sections have more air pollution than a busy highway, and both employees and nonsmoking diners are exposed to secondhand smoke every day. While many restaurant owners worry about the economic impact of banning smoking, studies show that restaurants that go smoke-free suffer no financial losses.

What Y St. Youth Did

Y St. youth generated community support for smoke-free restaurants in communities across Virginia. From November 2008 to April 2009, Y St. youth:

Collected 3,725 valid surveys on Virginians attitudes towards smoking and dining. Check out the statewide survey findings.

Collected more than 120 video testimonials from Virginians explaining why they’ve had enough with smoking in restaurant. Watch Virginians speak out!

Collected 1,114 statements from Virginians to support smoke-free restaurants.

Generated 3,956 unique web hits to 86thesmoke.com