Out of the smoking ban into the fire

Caroline O’Doherty warns Micheál Martin’s real battle might be after the ban.

IT was supposed to be a workplace smoking ban but somewhere down the line it became the publican persecution plan.

Ever since Health Minister Micheál Martin pronounced the end of pub culture as we know it, he and the men behind the counter have engaged in a saloon-style stand-off, staring each other down, warning each other off and always on the verge of going for their guns.