VFI prepares for lively conference

The workplace smoking ban and the Government's plans to introduce new café-bar licences are expected to top the agenda at the annual conference of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland in Cork this week.

The VFI, which represents around 6,000 publicans, has reported a significant drop in sales over the past year, blaming the smoking ban introduced in March 2004.

It has also expressed opposition to the new cafe-bar licences, saying any move to increase the number of outlets selling alcohol flies in the face of policies designed to reduce consumption.