Defiant publicans refuse to call time on smoking

PUBLICANS in Kerry are to defy the Government’s smoking ban on January 1.

In the first major industry revolt against the controversial health initiative, the county’s 380 publicans voted unanimously not to enforce the ban.

It also emerged yesterday that the board of the North West Tourism, which covers Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan, is to write to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern expressing its opposition to the smoking ban.