
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 2, 1994                   TAG: 9403020181
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WOODBRIDGE                                LENGTH: Medium

GIANT OUTLET MALL TO JOIN TREND, BAN SMOKING ENTIRELY IN APRIL

Potomac Mills Mall plans to go smoke-free this spring, joining other malls in Virginia and hundreds across the country that have restricted smoking over the past year.

"This ban is a valuable part of our program to promote the health and wellness of our customers, tenants and those who live in our community," said Ray Gruendel, general manager of the mall.

Gruendel said the mall values all of its customers, including those who smoke. But he said management must do everything it can to maintain "the healthiest environment possible" for visitors and employees.

The huge outlet mall will go smoke-free April 4.

More than 300 malls have initiated smoke-free policies in the past year, according to industry figures. The smoke-free push stems from last year's Environmental Protection Agency report that said secondhand smoke causes cancer, said Keith Foxe, spokesman for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

With the release of subsequent reports confirming the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, malls are feeling more pressure from their customers to go smoke-free, Foxe said.

Tysons Corner Center in McLean is scheduled to go smoke-free April 1. For the past year, Tysons has posted signs encouraging customers to refrain from smoking, said Marketing Director Debbie Withers.

Last April, Springfield Mall in Fairfax County became the first mall in Northern Virginia to restrict smoking. "We're just trying to cater to the family unit," said mall General Manager Jerry Robinson.

The Potomac Mills smoking ban pleases Dale City resident Karen Esch, a member of a mothers' group. Last month, she sent a letter, signed by 20 friends and fellow club members, to Gruendel to protest smoking.

"I get sluggish when I'm in there," said Esch, who often drives to Fairfax County to shop at smoke-free Springfield Mall.

by CNB