NORFOLK – The new year will bring a new effort by the City of Norfolk to enact a city-wide smoking ban.

Efforts fell through this year when Virginia lawmakers voted against allowing individual localities to enact bans.  That extinguished efforts at Norfolk City Hall.

“If the measure goes through, it will cost us $14,000 to build a patio to accommodate those smokers, so it's an instant out of pocket loss for us,” says Eric Stevens, the owner of Bardo, who was making plans earlier this year to move smokers outside.

A spokeswoman confirms the city’s lobbyist will ask lawmakers to again consider allowing cities to pass smoking bans.

Video: Norfolk poised to try again to extinguish smoking

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Right now, restaurant owners can decide on their own.  Granby Bistro and Deli is smoke free, but its owner doesn’t support a no-smoking law.

“To a lot of people, a drink without a cigarette is not that enjoyable,” stated Adel Hagez

Stevens says smoking is allowed at Bardo after 9:00 p.m. and only at the bar.  He says a city-wide ban is unfair, especially in these economically-tough times.

“If another city chooses not to go through with the ban, we could lose those smokers. At least with a statewide ban, it levels the playing field,” he stressed.

Had the General Assembly approved the ban, Norfolk would've become the only city in the state with a smoking ban.

State lawmakers convene in Richmond on January 14.