Pubs to get herbal cigarettes

CIGARETTE machine vendors are to supply pubs with herbal cigarettes to survive the smoking ban.

These “ban busting” cigarettes contain no nicotine or tobacco and can be legally smoked in pubs without breaching the Tobacco Act 2002.

The packs will be priced at 3.50-4.00 each and be available once the ban is implemented next year.

The Irish Cigarette Machine Operators Association (ICMOA), which announced the plan yesterday, said it was attempting to secure the future of its workers. There are around 450 people employed in the cigarette vending industry, and their jobs are expected to come under threat when the ban on smoking in pubs is implemented.

“We’ve been told for years by health groups to sell other products, so now we’re doing it. We are providing this range of products to give our customers a choice when they are socialising in pubs,” said spokesman Gerry Lawlor.

He added that it could pose problems for publicans enforcing the smoking ban if they were unable to tell the difference between standard cigarettes and the herbal variety.

Herbal cigarettes, sold in pharmacies and health stores, have a very limited market. The ICMOA believes the cigarettes would become more popular if they were available in its 12,000 pubs and nightclub locations. It is negotiating a supply contract with British and American companies.

“We can test the water with this. If herbal cigarettes replace tobacco, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the Office of Tobacco Control should be quite happy because they are nicotine and tobacco-free,” said Mr Lawlor.

However, the Irish Cancer Society opposes the promotion of herbal cigarettes.

Anti-tobacco consultant Norma Cronin said: “Smoking herbal cigarettes is not a safe option, as the pseudo-cigarettes contain tar, which is a carcinogen, and other harmful substances such as carbon monoxide.”