Smoking ban makes sense

THE Minister for Health, Micheál Martin, is to be heartily commended on his recent very wise proposal to ban smoking in the workplace from next year.

What a long overdue decision and what a wonderful breath of fresh air it will be for all concerned.

Even the smoker must now accept the conclusive medical evidence confirming the deadly health hazards of smoking and passive smoking.

Of course, it will mean considerable adjustment on the part of the smoker and most of all it requires a fundamental change in attitude to the anti-social atmosphere of smoke-filled rooms.

With a more health-conscious public awareness prevailing, the long-suffering non-smoker will not have to tolerate this irritating pollutant in the workplace. Next year, please God, we’ll all feel the better for it.

Uinsionn Ó Duinnlé,

Mount St Michael,

Rosscarbery,

Co Cork.