Grim statistics behind the smoking ban

NOW that the Health and Safety Authority has classified environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) as a Class A carcinogen, people who contract cancer as a result will take legal action, exposing the State to crippling litigation that would likely cost hundreds of millions of euro.

Cases have already been lodged against the State and publicans who ignore the smoking ban next January could find themselves in serious trouble with employees and customers.

Smokers in pubs should pay a fine, just as smokers in buses have to do when they are caught lighting up.

Those who accuse the State of acting like Big Brother should note that the Department of Health has estimated that the treatment of tobacco-related illnesses has cost the state between €500 million and €2 billion.

Smoking kills between 7,000 and 7,500 Irish people each year. There are 30,000 patients waiting for hospital treatment. About 85% of lung cancer sufferers can only be offered hospice care. The publicans who lit up at the recent VFI meeting in Portlaoise should visit the local hospice and see the devastation that smoking causes.

John O’Donoghue,

Knockanes,

Adare,

Co Limerick.