Smokepocalypse Now: Petition to Ban Smoking at Reston Town Center Could Extinguish Last Vestiges of Urban Grittiness

Soon, only the dumpsters will be left smoking at Reston Town Center -- at least if the organizers of a fancy online petition have their way.

Banning smoking around "public seating areas, such as around the fountain" would certainly remove the grit from our gritty urban core, leaving behind nothing but midscale chain restaurants and retail establishments. Why would you want such a hollow existence, Mr Buzzkill online petitioner?

We all know Reston Town Center is beautiful and family friendly. In fact when I ask people why they like it so much, "family friendly and safe" are the common responses. I considered this to be true until last week when I was "smoked out" twice in one day by smokers and forced to move. While I was eating lunch and reading a book in the seating areas by the fountain, someone came and sat down in the table next to me. They proceded to light their cigarette. I can smell it (I'm allergic and sensitive to cigarette smoke) of course being so close. I'm usually alright with this, but unfortunately two other people around me started smoking as well. I had to pack up my lunch, books, and move to the other side where I was no longer in the sun and quite uncomfortable. I don't know if others have had this expierence, but it was rude and ruined my entire lunch. If Reston Town Center is so "safe" and "family friendly", why is smoking, something that has been proven to cause HARM to other people, allowed in public areas? There are always kids running around for god's sake. I'm asking that while smokers sit around other people that don't want to intentionally poison themselves, that they move to a designated smoking area and come back after.

According to our BFFs at Patch, the petition has yet to -- wait for it -- set the world on fire:

So far, the petition has 17 signatures and at least seven of those signatures are from out of state.

As of this morning, the petition has broken the 30-signature mark, meaning it's only a matter of time before the mall RTC security starts focusing on cigarettes instead of cameras.

This shocking development comes after the Reston Association -- which has no jurisdiction over RTC because of bad decisions made decades ago -- voted last year to ban e-cigarettes in public areas and put up a bunch of no-smoking signs. What is the world coming to for smokers? Soon enough, they might have to venture outside of the friendly beige confines of Reston to (shudder) Herndon to light up. Or, you know, just smoke in their yards or on their decks or something, the end.