Non-smoking drinkers have a right to clean air
Well, as a West Cork publican, may I suggest a few obvious answers.
(1) Any publican who wishes to abide by the new law and who wants to avoid prosecution.
(2) Any publican who wishes to provide a pleasant, smoke-free atmosphere for the wellbeing of all his customers and staff.
(3) Most importantly, the publican who, at long last, realises that the right of the non-smoker to enjoy his or her drink in clean air far outweighs the right of the smoker to spoil it for everyone else.
Most people are concerned about the dangers of passive smoking. We know that elaborate ventilation systems help somewhat, but they are not the solution.
Smoke diffuses throughout the bar area and thus the smoker has to be completely ‘out of range’ for safety.
The only sensible compromise is for publicans to provide a ‘shelter’ away from the bar area for the urgent smoker. I think this is what the Vintners’ Federation is proposing.
Vince Dullea,
Baile ’n Ghoirtín,
Cloch na Coillte,
Co Corcaigh.
