Publicans should stay out of battle smoke
One would have thought that considering the products they are selling alcohol and, in many cases, cigarettes too they would have would have adopted a lower profile.
Alcohol-related problems are reported to cost the country €2.5 billion a year and those related to smoking €1.5 billion a year. This is far more than is received in tax from tobacco and alcohol. The brewing and tobacco industries are deliberately targeting the young in their advertising campaigns.
Imagine the problem in ten or 15 years time when we have alcoholics in their 20s and 30s and hospitals having to cope with an explosion in the cases of liver damage and other alcohol-related problems.
The success of tobacco industry's targeting of the young can be seen in the number of them especially girls who smoke, some still of school age.
Though an ex-smoker I can't tolerate the smoky atmosphere of pubs for more than a few minutes. I feel sorry for the staff who have to put up with this threat to their health day after day. No wonder their union supports the smoking ban, and one has to be amazed at the gall of their employers who oppose it. I hope the minister will stick to his guns and implement the ban as planned.
The hospitality industry may have to make a few adjustments, like turning down the loud music that only allows patrons to drink and not talk (which is probably the purpose anyway). They may also have to accept reduced alcohol sales and get into the restaurant business more.
I think the hospitality industry may be surprised at the end of the day to find that they will have more customers because without the smoky atmosphere many more non-smokers will go to the pub, especially if they are allowed to have a conversation.
Certainly the state and the taxpayer will find themselves a lot better off.
Brian Abbott,
Glencairn,
Bishopstown Road,
Cork.
