Smokers urged to back European legal challenge to smoke ban

SMOKERS are being asked to put their money where their mouths are and help fund a European legal challenge to the ban on smoking in pubs.

Publicans and legal eagles from Britain, the Netherlands and Germany arrived in Waterford yesterday for the launch of an EU fundraising drive. They fear that the ban will spread across the EU and could have a disastrous impact on their trade.

The European Smokers Against Discrimination campaigners are selling lighters at €1.70 each in pubs across Waterford and Kilkenny and hope to distribute them nationwide in the coming days. There are also plans to launch similar fundraisers across the EU.