Martin plan to ban smoking in pubs is 'unworkable'

VINTNERS claim that next year's ban on smoking in pubs will be unworkable and accuse Health Minister Micheál Martin of overreacting.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland, which represents 6,000 publicans outside of Dublin, said they were greatly concerned about how a total ban in pubs could be enforced and who would police it. "We believe a total ban on smoking is an overreaction and clean-air solutions provide a workable alternative," said VFI chief executive Tadg O'Sullivan.

The Licensed Vintners Association, which represents about 750 vintners in the greater Dublin area, warned of

serious political fallout from the proposed ban. LVA chairperson Frank Fell pointed out that, with 45% of drinkers also smokers, the ban would hit the trade hard. Tourism would also be affected.

The issue of how the proposed ban on smoking in pubs, hotels, restaurants and clubs will be policed has not yet been fully decided by the minister, who pointed out that the radical measures would require a massive cultural change. The Environmental Health Officers Association, currently charged with enforcing all tobacco legislation, said the proposed legislation would make it easier for them to do their job because it cut out all the grey areas. However, EHOA deputy chairperson Annemarie Part said they would need additional resources to implement the ban.

The Irish Hotels Federation said any legislation proposed by the minister needed to reflect and safeguard the rights of hotel and guesthouse owners. "The issue of handling customers who refuse to abide by the total ban is one that has to be dealt with sensitively," said IHF president Jim Murphy.

Mandate, the trade union representing thousands of bar workers, welcomed the proposed ban and said passive smoking in bars had been regarded as an occupational hazard for far too long. Mr Martin said he was banning smoking in pubs, clubs, restaurants, aircraft, trains and ships because an independent scientific review, commissioned by the Health and Safety Authority and the Office for Tobacco Control, was unequivocal in its findings that smoking in the workplace was damaging workers' health.

The review stated there was now general consensus among the international scientific community that passive smoking increased the risk of heart disease by up to 35% and lung cancer by about 20%. Draft regulations published yesterday by the minister to provide for the ban contain stiff penalties for persons who breach it.

A person found guilty in the District court faces fines of up to 1,900, up to three months in prison, or both. A more serious breach carries a penalty of 125,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both.

Anti-smoking campaign group ASH Ireland welcomed the proposed ban and pointed out that the review left the minister with no other option but to protect workers. The proposed ban has also been welcomed by the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Heart Foundation., Ireland's largest public sector union, IMPACT, which represents over 47,000 members, has welcomed the proposed ban and urged other unions to give it their support.