Publicans should stay out of battle smoke

MEMBERS of the hospitality industry (they used to be called publicans) have been strident in their opposition to the Minister for Health’s intended ban on smoking in public places.

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.