Vintners cannot ignore health risks
A countrywide rebellion by publicans is looming following the Vintners’ Federation warning that unless there is compromise, the law will face serious difficulties across the country.
Adding to the Government’s troubles, a survey of bar workers found that eight out of 10 staff now support the call for compromise amid growing fears of job losses.
With Kerry publicans set to oppose the ban, the defiant stance of Independent Kerry TD Jackie Healy-Rae has further upped the ante in this high stakes political poker game.
The colourful deputy, whose son Danny runs the family pub in Kilgarvan, stated unequivocally that the only option for publicans was not to go along with the ban. He pledged 100% backing for the campaign against the legislation.
With characteristic flair, he depicted a rural scene on the Ring of Kerry where the owners of small pubs rely on a handful of locals calling in for a whiskey, a chat, and a smoke late in the evening.
Claiming the law was unworkable, he added: “You can’t catch a fellow by the collar and tell him to get out. Jackie Healy Rae is not going to go up to Jim Carroll and say ‘you have to go home if you’re smoking here’. No matter what Micheál Martin does he can’t compel me to do something I’m not able to do.”
It is doubtful that the Independent TD and former pub owner is ever likely to face prosecution for inciting a breach of the law.
In contrast with Socialist Party Deputy Joe Higgins, whose anti-bin protest has landed him in jail, the South Kerry deputy would not be backward in reminding Mr Martin it was his Dáil vote that helped keep the last Coalition in power.
But that should cut no ice once the smoking ban comes into force early in the New Year. Not only could publicans be fined, they could be jailed for persistently allowing customers to smoke on the premises.
In no mood for bluffing, Mr Martin has reminded vintners that passive smoking is a killer disease. Ireland tops the EU heart disease league and has one of the worst records for lung cancer.
They should reflect on the fact that 70% of people do not smoke and that many are looking forward to smoke-free atmospheres.
Clearly, the minister has a duty to protect both workers and the public from the lethal effects of a carcinogen that kills thousands of people and costs the Exchequer hundreds of millions.
Vintners should heed warnings that Irish workers may follow their US counterparts in law suits against employers, including publicans.
The question, as posed by the minister, is whether vintners regard the lives of bar workers of less value than those of office staff. That is an issue on which there should be no debate.
Like it or not, the laws of the land must be upheld. Otherwise, the seeds of anarchy will be sown and the law in general will fall into disrepute.
Licensed vintners have every right to lobby for change. But they should also adopt a more responsible attitude towards the hazards associated with passive smoking and the cancer threat posed to their staff and customers.
