Smoking ban ‘to hit vending business’

CIGARETTE machine operators have warned 150 small businesses will go bust and 450 people will lose their jobs following the introduction of the smoking ban.

The Irish Cigarette Machine Operators Association said publicans, in a bid to discourage smoking on their premises, can be expected to have the machines removed within weeks of the January 1 ban.

It will destroy a €300m-a-year business, it is claimed. “As an industry we are out of business. It’s as simple as that,” said association vice-chair Gerry Lawler following the launch of a survey that claims a large number of females are worried about leaving their drinks unattended and fear for their personal safety while smoking outside the pub.