New Yorkers protest at statewide smoking ban

THEY came in their hundreds, even in wheelchairs, with badges, banners and chants, to protest at New York’s strict no-smoking laws which became statewide yesterday.

More than 500 people made up of bar owners, restaurateurs, nightclub owners and workers called on the mayor to either “lighten up” the ban or revoke it.

Seven members of the newly formed Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance attended the march with banners to highlight the potential impact the Irish smoking ban will have if it is introduced from January 1, 2004.