Publicans must focus on saving lives

THE plethora of tactical measures being considered by Ireland’s publicans with the expressed aim of frustrating the Government’s impending ban on smoking in bars, illustrates the degree to which vintners are out of step with popular opinion on this vexed issue.

Whatever publicans might say, the majority of people are in favour of the concept of smoke-free pubs, especially in view of the undeniable links between passive smoking and the scourge of cancer, which takes thousands of lives in this country every year.

Yet, opposition within the licensed trade to Health Minister Micheál Martin’s uncompromising legislation against smoking in the workplace is intensifying, judging by the turnout of 1,200 publicans at yesterday’s meeting of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland.

Among measures aired at the session was a proposal to slow down payments of VAT, a move calculated to hit the Government where it hurts as annual returns total around €1 billion.

The creation of a slush fund was also mooted to aid any publican prosecuted after January 26 when the new law comes into force. Ultimately, the legal battle could be pursued all the way to the European courts.

Campaigners are also considering imposing a counter ban by barring party meetings in pubs, a strategy which could bring an end to a longstanding feature of political life in rural constituencies.

It may also be make-up-your-mind time for publican-TDs who will be challenged to resign their seats, a proposal unlikely to cut much ice with the individuals concerned, given the power of patronage associated with a Dáil seat.

An even more bizarre suggestion would see an endorsement of herbal cigarettes, a ploy calculated to create confusion as these do not come under the ban.

As far as vintners are concerned, the ban is unenforceable. They claim it is ridiculous that one can smoke behind prison bars but not in public bars where the pint and the cigarette are part of the fabric of Irish social life.

It is entirely valid for the Vintners’ Federation to consider all legal options open to them in their bid to prevent the legislation having effect. Whether or not it could be phased in is open to debate, but it is totally unrealistic to think the ban can be stopped in its tracks.

The Netherlands is the only other European state considering such a ban and the Dutch government has challenged bar owners there, who also bitterly oppose the move, to produce alternative proposals.

Irish publicans should do likewise. But instead of pursuing such a deeply negative campaign, as witnessed so far, they should display greater willingness to protect people from the hazards of unwanted and injurious smoke.

They should be prepared to adopt a more realistic attitude to legislation which, after all, is designed to save their customers’ lives.