Bouncers fear smoking ban will increase danger of attacks

BOUNCERS fear a smoking ban due to be introduced next year will increase the dangers of them being attacked.

The issue has been raised by both door security staff and publicans following the fatal stabbing of a bouncer in New York just days after the ban was introduced. Dana Blake died in hospital from stab wounds after ordering two men to put out their cigarettes in a Manhattan club.

Donie O'Callaghan, who has plans to set up a door supervisors' training body ahead of new legislation that will introduce stricter controls over the trade, said the fatal stabbing in the east coast city worried doormen here.

"It is going to be a big issue. We will be following the impact of the New York ban very closely.

"I was sitting around with a couple of doormen when we heard about the bouncer being killed over a cigarette. It made them think. It's definitely going to be a major issue for doormen in Ireland.

"Trying to police the ban is going to be a very difficult task."

His fears were echoed by Tadg O'Sullivan, chief executive of the Vintners[ Federation. He said bar workers would be put in a very dangerous position.

"We are convinced that if a ban is introduced it will inevitably lead to difficulties in public order. It has only taken a few days for that to happen in the very sad case in New York, and that is scary.

"It is not just door staff that will be at risk it will affect barmen and women too. What will happen when the woman working on her own at the bar is forced to approach a big strapping fellow and ask him to extinguish his cigarette?"

Mr O'Sullivan said he would prefer to see the ban phased in, gradually reducing the size of the area open to smokers.